DOZENS of local climbers are set to climb K2, the second highest mountain in the world, for the charity WaterAid - but they will be doing it right here in the centre of Worcestershire at Sport Martley climbing centre.

Alan Hinkes may be the only Briton to have climbed all the world's 14 mountains over 8,000 metres, but soon he might have to share his glory with hundreds of WaterAid fund-raisers.

On Friday, November 11, teams will take part in WaterAid's Challenge 8000 to try to climb the height of the 14 mountains on indoor climbing walls.

Between them, they aim to equal - or beat - Alan's achievement, albeit without facing the terrifying conditions of the Death Zone or risking frostbite.

Top mountaineers such as Alan choose to endure physical hardship, but for more than one billion people in the world today, such hardship is not a choice. Lack of access to a local source of safe water has a debilitating effect on individuals and communities.

Alan said: "When you visit countries such as Nepal, you often see people - mostly women and children - walking for hours over arduous ground to collect water.

"They don't have the luxury of taps with clean water in their homes, which we take for granted.

"Yet it costs less than £15 to bring someone a lasting supply of clean water and sanitation".

This is the second year that WaterAid and Alan Hinkes have run the Challenge 8000. In last year's event local climbers raised nearly £3,000 - and scaled Cho-Oyu in the process.

Local organiser Neil Currie said: "Last year we did so well that this year we've been given a much bigger mountain to climb and we need as many people as possible to rise to the challenge."

The fun climbing challenge is open to anyone. No climbing experience is necessary.

For more information call Sue Currie on 07810 812042.

, email suecurrie@thirdangle.co.uk or visit www.wateraidchallenge8000.org