THREE Scout leaders are embarking on a Coast to Coast challenge to raise money to buy climbing equipment for their troop.

Mark Hunt, Scout leader for the fifth Redcar Scout group based at Larkswood Road, Redcar, will set off with Explorer Scout leader Kevin Scollay and assistant Scout leader Stephen Day on Tuesday.

They will walk from Arnside, near Morecambe on the West coast of England back to Saltburn.

The trio will be carrying all their own camping gear and anticipate spending seven days on their trip.

So far they have raised more than £500, which includes a £100 donation from Abbey National, £50 from Sembcorp and £25 from Millenium Limousines in Marske. The money raised will buy climbing gear which will be used during activity weekends and summer camps by the 80 Cubs, Beavers, Scouts and Explorers at the Redcar branch.

Mr Hunt said: "We're really looking forward to the challenge and it'll be nice to get away from work for a week. It's for a really good cause. It will be giving children, especially those from deprived areas, the opportunity to go climbing which they wouldn't normally have. It will be much less expensive for us to take the kids climbing when we have our own equipment and we'll be able to take more children and go more often."

Anyone wanting to help raise funds for the equipment should ring Tina on (01642) 501439.