TWO PADIHAM firefighters are scaling the heights in the name of charity.

Retained firefighters Phil Gardner, 44, and Byron Entwistle, 20, both from Padiham, will spend 50 hours cooped up in the drill tower to raise funds for Booth Hall and Pendlebury Children's Hospitals and the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.

The pair will only be taking water with them when they go into the tower at noon next Friday and will be relying on donations of food to see them through to their descent on Sunday at 2pm.

Phil, a stock controller, and Byron, a lifeguard, are hoping members of the public will go along to see them, donate money and join in celebrations.

They will be allowed to leave the tower only to answer the call of nature.

Phil said: "It's quite a small space and there's probably not even room to lie down so we could get quite uncomfortable.

"We will be able to move up and down inside the tower so we can see people but the only reason we will be allowed out is for personal reasons, to use the facilities.

"The tower is one of the tallest in Lancashire so the views will be good but we are hoping to see lots of people coming to laugh at us.

"They can say what they like as long as they put some money into the bucket."

The descent on Sunday has been timed to co-incide with Padiham Walking Day when the town is expected to be busy with people who can join in celebrations of the achievement.

Donations of food will be welcomed at any time. Phil added: "I'm hoping someone might even come along from the chippie, otherwise it's going to be jam butties and water all weekend.

"We have no plans to take any food up there with us and we will only be taking water so we could get pretty hungry if no-one turns up."