AGE is no barrier to a pensioner who is going trekking in the Andes for charity.

Beryl Jackson, 70, will tackle Peru's Inca trail in October - rising from 2,700 metres to 4,200 metres - in aid of the Children's Society.

The intrepid grandmother, who has a love of mountains and the environment, scaled Mount Snowdon in Wales earlier this month to prepare for the four-day hike from Cuzco to Machupicchu.

Of the 48 people who will take part in the challenge, Mrs Jackson is the oldest by six years but she still felt "fresh" after the gruelling climb and descent of the 1,085-metre peak. Beryl Jackson in the mountain gear she will use to tackle the Andes.

"It was harder than I expected but I managed it with no ill effects," she said. "I was quite fresh when I came down."

She added: "People at Stourport Social Day Centre all think I'm mad, but my family are adventurous and they've put me up to it!"

Mrs Jackson, of Jackson Crescent, Stourport, has also been preparing with trips to a gym in the town.

The trip was spurred by a "lapse" in her fund-raising efforts for the Children's Society.

"It looks after children in our country who are living rough or have been abused, and finds them secure accommodation to give them a better chance.

"I've always supported this charity, and me and a lot of friends used to do coffee mornings and tea parties. But my efforts seemed to lapse so I thought it was a good idea to do this trek for them."

Since April Mrs Jackson has collected almost £2,000 of the £2,500 sponsorship she needs and further events include an evening of quickstep, foxtrot and other "old time" dance moves, accompanied by live music, tomorrow at Astley Village Hall from 8pm.

For further information contact Mrs Jackson on 01299 826188.