SUPPORTERS of the County Durham Macmillan appeal hit the heights earlier this year.

A team of officers from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade successfully raced up the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales.

This considerable feat - which has to be done in the shortest possible time - raised £1,150 for the appeal.

Macmillan is trying to raise £600,000 over three years to transform services for terminally-ill cancer patients and their families.

The cash will be used to boost the number of Macmillan nurses who support patients and to appoint the county's first dedicated palliative care consultant.

Fire officers from Durham have completed the Three Peaks Challenge to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon before but this year they outdid themselves.

One team, led by Sue McPherson, whose mother died of cancer last year, not only completed the challenge in 18 hours 34 miutes but also achieved a magnificent 11th place in a field of 80 teams.

A second team of fire officers from Durham won a silver medal with the very creditable time of 20 hours 14 minutes.

Sue McPherson said the trip would not have been possible without Arriva Ford of Sunderland who lent them a bus.