THREE intrepid Bolton friends are going up in the world to help young cancer sufferers . . . quite literally.

The trio intend to climb part of the highest mountain in the world next month to raise money for a children's cancer charity.

Pals John Taylor, Andrew Walker and Steve Oldfield intend to climb 15,000 feet into the foothills of Mount Everest in Nepal.

The pals will be raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity on their eight-day trek.

Self-employed accountant Steve, aged 37, who lives in Egerton, Andrew who lives in Farnworth and manages a garden centre, and John who works at Bolton Town Hall, are all training for their gruelling expedition with regular trips to Rivington Pike.

John, aged 30, who lives in Ainse Road, Blackrod, said: "We're all looking forward to going, but I don't know what we've let ourselves in for!

"We've been going to the gym a lot and climbing up in Rivington which is probably the nearest thing we've got around here to the foothills of Everest!

"But we're all outdoor types, so we wanted to do something like this for charity."

John's former primary school, Blackrod Church School, is also helping out with the fund-raising and every class has held a special sponsored event this week to collect money for the appeal.

The friends set off for Nepal on November 12.

Anyone who wants to support the charity appeal can send cheques made out to Teenage Cancer Trust c/o Pauline Richardson, Blackrod Church School, Vicarage Road, Blackrod.