A team of County Durham and Darlington firefighters are preparing to take on the Three Peaks challenge - dressed in their full fire kit.

Firefighters from Durham, Consett and High Handenhold Fire Stations will set off tomorrow (Wednesday) to scale the heights of the three highest peaks in the UK dressed in their cumbersome protective clothing.

They aim to complete the challenge in under 24 hours to raise awareness - and cash - for The Fire Fighters Charity. 

Firefighter Matt Peverall said: "We are setting off to climb Ben Nevis at 4pm on Wednesday and aim to complete that by 9pm and heading for Scafell Pike for the middle of the night and then hopefully finishing Mount Snowdon at 3pm on Thursday.

"A lot of people do the challenge. But we have the added challenge of wearing our full fire kit, including leggings, heavy overcoats and helmets.

"Some of us are keen runners and some are just going to do their best on the day. We all maintain the same level of fitness, anyway, as part of the job.

"But it will definitely be a test of our mettle. One thing I would say is our fire kit is very good at keeping us safe from fire, keeping the heat out.

"But it also does keep the heat in, so when it starts to get warm you definitely feel it inside the fire kit.

"Sometimes when you're a job you get hot and sweaty, so I don't know how we'll feel after climbing three mountains in it. 

"I certainly don't think our service bus is going to be the freshest-smelling place to be." 

He added: "We thought it would be a really good way to raise money to support the Fire Fighters Charity, which does not get as much publicity as it deserves. 

"The charity does a lot of good work for firefighters who are physically injured and also for those who suffer from mental health traumas as a result of the work we do.  

"We have raised about £900 so far and would like to raise over £1,000 - anything more than that would be great." 

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The team are being supported by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, which is providing a minibus for us."

The team will be posting updates on their social media.

To donate on the Just Giving page click here.