A KIND-HEARTED factory worker from Worcester went on a trek to raise money for charity and found a stairway to heaven.

Andrew Lea, of Shap Drive, Warndon, was getting ready for work one morning when he heard on the radio that the charity Marie Curie was looking for people to trek across the Great Wall Of China.

Mr Lea, aged 44, who admitted he was unsure of undertaking the challenge at first, said: "I wanted to do something different for other people and I didn't want a beach holiday."

He flew out on Saturday, September 24, and returned on Sunday, October 2. His generosity and adventurous spirit have so far raised £800 for the cancer charity with sponsorships still to be collected.

The famous landmark is an incredible 4000km long in total. It snakes through the mountains and breathtaking scenery of northern China.

Mr Lea said it was nice to look back at the photos of the expedition but they could not compare to actually being on the wall and looking at the view.

"There was one part called Heaven's Stairway. You go up these steps, I think we counted 455. You go up but it doesn't go anywhere and you have to come back down."

Mr Lea trained alone, walking around Worcester with a backpack, up the Malvern Hills, and with regular gym trips.

He said: "It was a challenge, a test. While I'm single I wanted to do something different and out of the blue."

He joined a group of 32 others from all over the UK.

"Until I got to Heathrow, I didn't know who I would be doing the trek with," he said. "But we all got on really well. We've stayed in touch through e-mail and are planning a reunion." said Mr Lea.