A GROUP of climbers will set out to reach new heights by scaling Scafell Pike in total darkness.

The seven-strong team of 20 to 35-year-olds from Preston want to complete the Three Peaks Challenge in record time which means climbing through the early hours of the morning.

The Challenge consists of conquering Mount Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in Cumbria and Scotland's Ben Nevis. It usually takes a couple of days but the fund-raising fanatics want to do it within 24 hours.

The conquest covers a gruelling 11,000 feet - around 27 miles of climbing - as well as speedy journeys between each mountain.

Philip Wall and Richard Garratt of the group nearly lost each other the first time they attempted the pitch black climb.

Philip explained: "Richard was supposed to be following me but I stopped because of a nose bleed.

"When I looked up again, Richard was way in front. He was following a more experienced climber who had the same rucksack as me."

It was only an hour later when an exhausted Richard asked the man in front to slow down that he realised he had been following the wrong person!

Philip added: "The climb is quite dangerous as Scafell has no path to follow, but it has been done before. We want to make it as difficult as possible to raise as much money as we can."

The team hopes to mount up £3,000 for the Preston branch of the NSPCC. They set off on June 13 and start the Challenge at Snowdon.

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