SEVEN staff from a vehicle rental business in Darlington are aiming to scale the highest peaks in Britain in 24 hours for charity.

The team of seven information technology (IT) specialists in the Northgate Plc IT team have 24 hours to climb Ben Nevis, in Scotland, Scafell Pike in Cumbria and Snowdon in Wales, in July.

The Vanco Three Peaks Challenge is specifically for teams involved in IT.

Geoff Wallace, IT manager, who is heading the team, said: "A back-up team consisting of at least two drivers will transport us between mountains, as well as supplying us with food, water and encouragement.

"We have two priorities at the moment: to generate as much sponsorship as we possibly can and to do plenty of training in preparation for the event. Our involvement began when I received an email from Vanco.

"I was immediately interested, as over the past few years I have been actively involved in raising money for charity in the form of 24-hour walks. I forwarded the email to colleagues within the IT department and was astonished at the positive response."

"We have already started practicing on a regular basis and although there have been a lot of aching limbs, everyone is confident, especially in view of the worthy cause."

The seven hikers are completing the challenge in aid of Care International, an independent organisation working to end poverty.

Northgate operates a fleet of mroe than 44,000 commercial vehicles from 70 hire locations in the UK and Ireland.