'EVEREST CONQUERED'

Firefighters climbed the height of Mount Everest in The Shires Shopping Centre, Trowbridge, in aid of Children in Need.

The Trowbridge crews, supported by colleagues from Melksham, Bradford on Avon and Westbury, took part in an Everest ladder climb, climbing a ladder 1,747 times, equal to the height of Everest's 29,029ft.

They completed that feat after four hours but went on climbing for another two hours to scale the ladder a total of 2,304 times, finishing at 4pm.

And they raised an amazing £1,609.27 from shoppers with their bucket collection.

Firefighter Chris Petty, who organised the climb with his colleagues, said: “We’re very grateful to The Shires for allowing us to hold the climb, and we hope the public enjoyed watching us. Everyone seemed really impressed and we are delighted that we were able to raise so much money. ”

A ladder was put up from the ground floor to the first floor shopping area, close to the escalators at the Asda entrance and the firefighters climbed the ladder from the bottom to the top of the railings, dismounted and went down the escalator to climb the ladder, over and over again.

The Shires shopping centre manager Steve Murray said: “We’re delighted to have been able to support our local firefighters and all the shoppers certainly seemed to be enjoying it and donated fast and furious in aid of a very worthwhile cause.”