FIREFIGHTERS are well known for taking burning houses and blazing forests in their stride.

But Pete Glossop, Steve Taylor, Nathan Bright and Mick O'Brien, who are based at Biggin Hill Airport, decided to set themselves a new challenge – to tackle the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 25 hours – all in the name of charity.

"Every year we choose a local cause to raise money for and this year it was Valence School, a special school and sports college in Westerham," said Mr Taylor.

"But we didn't want to just ask people for money.

"We wanted to set ourselves a real challenge – something most people couldn't do."

The group, who are all from Westerham and the surrounding area, were keen to highlight the generosity of businesses in their home town despite the challenging financial times.

Mr Taylor said: "I just couldn't get over how kind everyone was.

"We managed to raise £350 after just a few hours of walking from shop to shop.

"Even the petrol station donated a tank of diesel."

The National Three Peaks Challenge is well-known among the more adventurous.

It involved a 4pm start on Sunday at the foot of Snowdon, in Wales, before driving to Scafell Pike, in England's Lake District, and Ben Nevis, in Scotland.

Any sleep they had was done in a van, donated by Practical Car and Van Rental, in Biggin Hill, driven by team members John Dugdale and Andy Mellers, also based at Biggin Hill Airport.

The group was delighted to have managed to complete their challenge.