FOUR Malvern friends raised £2,400 for Cancer Research UK by climbing the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales.

John Rodway, Darren Phillips, Mark Murphy and Roger Sheriff, of the Beacon Club skittles team, did the sponsored challenge in memory of Mr Rodway's dad Philip, also a keen skittles player, who died of cancer last year.

Climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon involved a 24-mile hike, 500-mile drive and a combined ascent of over 11,000ft. It took them 25 hours and 30 minutes.

Despite knee injuries, poor weather and some navigational errors, the friends are already talking about repeating the challenge next year.

"We'd like to complete it in under 24 hours," said Mr Rodway. "We're grateful to everyone who sponsored us and helped us raise more than double our initial target."