A WORLD record holder has left for Singapore to perform the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest in 24 hours - on a step machine.

Graham Whalley, 38, from Stanley, in County Durham, who set his most recent record after completing 3,972 press-ups in one hour, has been raising money for charity following the death of his wife, Helen, from cancer, 20 months ago.

He said: "Everest is nearly 30,000ft high and to complete an equivalent climb using a stepper means 30,000 non-stop step-ups in 24 hours."

After his record attempt in Singapore, he will be visiting China, Japan and other Far Eastern countries to challenge all-comers to beat his records.

SpringHealth Leisure, which owns the club in Kingston Park where Mr Whalley trains, has donated £1,000 towards the trip.