FOUR long-standing friends are planning to put their hiking boots on for an 84-mile trek along Hadrian's Wall.

Hazel Hart, Barbara Wood, Sheila Ritchie and Jenny Morris all went to school together at York College for Girls. They met up again at one of the last reunions before the school closed for good a few years ago and since then have regularly gone out walking together.

But today they are stepping out on their biggest challenge yet with a five-day trek along the wall.

The walk is in aid of St Leonard's Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Relief.

It was organised following the death of Ms Hart's sister a year ago.

Another friend, Mary Crockett, will back them up along the way, supplying drinks and sandwiches.