TWO firefighters are set to fly to Lanzarote this summer in a bid to raise money for a sick four-year-old girl.

Station Officer Neil Mercer, from Farnworth fire station, and Station Officer Chris Rainford, from Broughton fire station, are set to brave temperatures of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit to take part in an exhausting triathalon. They hope to raise enough cash to allow little Erin Worth, who has had an operation to have a tumour removed from her kidney, to fly to Florida for a holiday.

She will also undergo chemotherapy soon and, as a treat, the firefighters wanted to do something special for her.

The Lanzarote Iron Man Challenge will see the two firefighters compete in a gruelling fitness contest in which they will swim 2.4 miles in the sea, go on a 112-mile bike ride and then run a 26.2-mile marathon.

Colleagues at their fire stations said they would not be able complete the test -- so Neil and Chris took up their challenge.

Neil said: "Erin is the daughter of one of Farnworth's firefighters, Ian Worth, and so we know the pain she has been going through."

The pair are looking for sponsorship and donations. Call Farnworth fire station on 01204 909503, or call in person.