CORSHAM firefighters have set themselves the challenge of climbing Mount Snowdon while wearing full fire kit.

Thirteen on-call firefighters will tackle the 1,085m ascent on Sunday, July 19, using the Llanberis path, with their aim to raise as much money as possible for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

It's not the first time that the Corsham crew have taken on an endurance feat for charity while wearing fire kit. In April 2013, firefighters walked the 22 miles between Devizes and Bath along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath, and raised thousands of pounds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Fire Fighters Charity.

For Crew Manager Andy Webster, this will be his fifth charity fire kit challenge. He and former colleague Mark Evans took on the Corsham 10k, the Chippenham half marathon and the New York marathon in 2013, all in aid of fire service charity Operation Florian.

However, the Snowdon climb will be a lot different to the other events. He said: "With the towpath walk, we had a support crew who met us at different points of the route with refreshments and fresh kit if we needed it. On the runs, there were refreshment points along the route. With Snowdon, we will have to carry whatever we need ourselves, which will add to the already substantial weight of the fire kit."

The decision to do the climb came from Corsham fire station's social club, which supports local good causes and organises activities for the firefighters and their families.

Mr Webster added: "We decided at the beginning of the year that we wanted to support Wiltshire Air Ambulance during 2015. Sadly, we often meet the crew at incidents, and we've seen first hand what a brilliant job they do.

"Someone suggested we climb Snowdon, and it's just developed from there. We're hoping to raise as much money as possible, and to avoid too many blisters."

Corsham fire station has two fire engines so there will still be a crew available for emergency calls in the town while the climbers are in Wales.

To support the firefighters in their challenge, go to: virginmoneygiving.com/corsham22