STAFF from one of Darlington's biggest firms have taken to the hills to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Workers from mobile phone company Orange tackled the Lyke Wake Walk, a 42-mile challenge from Osmotherley to Ravenscar, on the North York Moors.

Their efforts have boosted the funds of Orange's two chosen charities - the British Deaf Association and the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

Vivienne Chapman, who works at the Orange centre in Darlington, said: "It certainly helped to know that you were raising money for such worthy causes. Although not regular walkers, we managed to keep going through the night and enjoyed the satisfaction of finishing, despite a few sore feet."

The Lyke Wake Walk follows the Cleveland Way with a series of climbs up and down the western end of the North York Moors. It then flattens out as it crosses the main part of the moors, dipping down into the valley before it falls to sea level.