A FIREFIGHTER'S plans to raise £20,000 for charity are sure to leave him in a spin.

Dave Ibbertson and three friends are to push a washing machine around Scotland and the North of England, visiting various landmarks.

The Washer-Roamer Challenge will see the washing machine reach new heights.

Part of the challenge, which was dreamed up over a pint, is to take the machine one mile above ground, one mile below ground and a mile offshore.

Dave, from Darlington, said: "The RAF are going to helicopter us out with a Lynx, which will get us a mile out, and hopefully a mile high, and were getting a caving team to take us a mile under in the Peak District."

The effort will include a tumble over the River Tweed in Berwick, a drum roll at Edinburgh Castle and a quick soak in the Farne Islands.

There will also be a fully-loaded attempt at an assault course, a deep sea dive, a trip to Manchester United FC and a stroll down Coronation Street.

The specially-adapted machine will be donated by manufacturer Dyson, and the challenge has attracted advance promises of help from a search and rescue helicopter, a lifeboat and Virgin Trains.

The friends will set off on October 18 and take five days to complete their challenge.

In Darlington, the washing machine will be "rescued" from a building by the fire brigade.

Dave hopes to raise £20,000 from the challenge. The cash will be shared between the New York Fire Brigade, Cystic Fibrosis and a Buxton primary school.

Anyone wanting make a donation can contact Dave on (01325) 259868, or 07050 046439.