Trailblazer Amy Johnson stunned the world when she became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in May 1930.

Now a daring British pilot has begun to retrace her route from Croydon to Darwin in a vintage biplane to honour the landmark feat.

Amanda Harrison, 46, packed a survival kit with shark repellent and a life boat before setting off from Biggin Hill Airport in Bromley, south London, at 12.05pm today.

After overcoming severe childhood dyslexia to become a commercial airline pilot and a recent bout of breast cancer, she hopes her month-long journey across 20 countries will help to inspire women to take up the pursuit across the world.

Ms Harrison, from Bromley, is flying in her 1942 de Havilland DH82a Tiger Moth, similar to the open cockpit Gypsy Moth flown by Johnson.