FIREFIGHTERS with a head for heights are warming up to tackle a major feat for charity.

Bolton town hall square will be the venue for an "Everest Challenge Climb" on Tuesday, June 3.

The local event is being organised by former Bolton firemen sub officer Mike Sutherland and station officer Neil Barlow, who are now based at Greater Manchester Fire Service headquarters in Swinton.

The Bolton challenge is just part of a Europe-wide fund-raising event to raise funds for the world's first lung cancer research centre in Liverpool.

Firemen will be pitching an aerial ladder platform against prominent local buildings and using it to climb more than 29,000 feet in aid of the research centre, dedicated to the memory of entertainer Roy Castle.

In Bolton 30 firemen from Greater Manchester, the majority being from Bolton, will scale the ladder which will be pitched onto the roof of Bolton Town Hall. Their dash will include part of the town hall itself. The men will do around 15 climbs each, in full firefighting uniform.

The current record is held by Cardiff Fire service.

Although the climb is a major part of the fund-raising there will also be plenty of fun to attract the crowds on the day.

There will be a vintage fire engine push from Bolton Fire Station and the firemen will arrive in the town hall square at noon.

There will be stalls in the square, fire engines and a fund-raising evening at Club Mondo nightclub in Bolton.

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