TWO firefighters are heading to Lanzarote to take part in a gruelling challenge.

Paul Norris and Neil Mercer will take on the ironman competition on Saturday that will see them swim 2.4 miles in the sea, followed by a 112- mile bike ride around the island and finished off with a marathon.

The pair, who have both taken part in ironman challenges before, are part of a 20-strong team of firefighters from the UK competing in the race.

They are raising money for Cancer Research — a charity close to Mr Mercer’s heart after his father, David Duffy, was treated for cancer of the oesophagus last year. It was chosen because one member of the team had testicular cancer.

Mr Mercer was the first Bolton man to cross the finish line in the competition in the town last summer. He is currently the UK veteran ironman champion. The 45- year-old, from Egerton, a watch commander at Salford fire station, said: “I have been doing about 20 hours a week training to get ready for this.

“I am also doing the Bolton ironman again this year, so it will be good practice and I hope I can retain my title.”

Mr Norris, aged 45, of Smithills, is a watch commander at Bolton North fire station in Crompton Way.

He said: “I have been training for six months, doing about 20 hours a week. I think being a firefighter helps as we are encouraged to keep fit and it is quite an active job.

“I did my first ironman in 2005 and then I swore I would never do it again.

Then I did the one in Bolton last year.

Again, I said I would not do another, then two days later I signed up for this one. It is like a bug.

It takes over your life for a few months, and I am looking forward to being able to relax afterwards.”