OXFORD police officer Cecilia Agger has returned triumphant from a 3,000-mile rally clutching a handful of trophies.

Chief Insp Agger – head of police operations in the city – set off on the London to Casablanca Endurance Rally last month.

She overcame travel sickness to act as navigator for her husband on the seven-day mission.

She embarked on the rally to raise awareness for the Talking2Minds charity, which helps servicemen and women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mrs Agger and her husband completed the competitive drive from London to the Moroccan city via France, Spain and the Atlas mountains in a 1968 Lotus Cortina covered in the Talking2Minds artwork.

Despite a few minor setbacks, including a puncture and a few loose parts on the car, the couple returned triumphant, winning several cups, including one for best in class.

Mrs Agger, 40, said: “We also formed a team with two other classic cars and won the team prize, which we were delighted with.

“We knew the car, as long as it didn’t break down, could be competitive.

“We came ninth overall out of 50 cars, which was better than we had expected.

“I took sickness tablets on the first day, in the forest stages and for the channel crossing, and again when we crossed on the ferry from Spain to Morocco.

“I felt a bit sick in the forest as it was a fast leg, with lots of tight turns.

“But the rest of the time I was fine. I was so busy reading the route notes and shouting the instructions that it took my mind off feeling ill.”

Talking2Minds supports ex-military personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder, and will soon begin supporting police officers, firefighters and ambulance staff.

Mrs Agger said she wanted to raise awareness of the charity both in support of the troops and of police colleagues who have experienced traumatic events in their jobs.

She said: “There were 50 cars there who will have seen the artwork plus all the organisers.

“Pictures of the car have also been posted on lots of websites so hopefully it has raised the profile of the charity.”

Talking2Minds uses therapeutic workshops to help people overcome delayed anxiety.

To find out more, visit talking2minds.co.uk awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk