AN 85-year-old Bewdley man who climbed the 3,500ft peak, Snowdon, has raised £1,561 to help the elderly.

The money will go towards rebuilding the kitchen at Callow Hill Methodist Church, where pensioners from 20 churches attend a monthly lunch club.

Allen Birch, of Spencer Avenue, completed the sponsored climb two months ago in six and a half hours, which included the return journey to Llanberis.

The great-grandfather, a former Scout leader, was accompanied to the top by his friend, Damien Chance, 38, of West Bromwich.

Mr Birch, a retired building manager at Kidderminster's Brintons Carpets, said: "I would like to thank everyone who gave to the fund. We are now applying for a number of grants and building work should start next spring or early summer."

He collected the cash from industry, banks, his church congregation, Bewdley Scouts and neighbours. Mr Chance collected £138 from the West Bromwich area.

Mr Birch, who took his 100-year-old thumb-stick to aid his climb, added: "Damien was more excited than me when we got to the top, telling everyone my age. It was easier for me getting down - he had a knee problem."

He helps cook the dinners and waits on tables at the lunch club.

The planned works will improve access and will enable more people to attend the club.

Mr Birch, who walks 12 miles every Saturday to keep fit, led expeditions up Ben Nevis and the Swiss Alps when he was a Scout leader.

The Rev Paul Booth, minister at Callow Hill, has described Mr Birch's effort as wonderful and added: "The energy he shows is amazing. We are all grateful for his efforts."