A STUDENT has scaled Ben Nevis in aid of The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

Politics student Tom Oliver, 19, from Darlington and two friends from Lancaster University, battled their way through a four-day, 100-mile march along the West Highland Way and a 4,300ft climb to reach the mountain's summit.

Tom and his friends, Adam Stapley and Andrew Nicklin, who are all members of the University's Officer Training Corps, raised more than £500.

The money will go towards the £48m spent by the British Legion each year in offering advice and support to ex-service people and their families.

Tom said: "I'm planning to join the services after my politics degree, so the Legion is an appropriate cause for me to support. We all recognise that the Poppy Appeal can be forgotten outside of November, so this has been a great way to raise money for a worthwhile cause.