THE Dean of Blackburn has conquered the three highest peaks in Yorkshire in under a day to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

The Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, completed the task with 12 friends to aid the cathedral choir's fundraising for a tour of Europe.

But The Rev Armstrong, who is an experienced walker, said that poor weather conditions nearly got the better of him as he completed the 25-mile route in just under 12 hours.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a circuit starting and ending at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, north of Settle, visiting the three highest peaks in Yorkshire.

The group tackled Pen-y-ghent (691m), Whernside (728m), and Ingleborough (723m).

The Rev Armstrong said: "The biggest challenge wasn't the altitude or the terrain but the endurance aspect and the very bad weather.

"The weather could have been worse but not much worse.

It was raining and there was low cloud for the whole walk, it sapped our energy and our spirits but we managed to finish."

The three peaks walk includes a total climb of around 5,200 feet and people tacking the route are urged to be well prepared for the notorious poor weather in the area.

The Rev Armstrong completed some training for the feat while on holiday in the Swiss Alps earlier this month.

He added: "It was tough and I really struggled towards the end, it wasn't one of my best walks."

Several members of the cathedral choir as well as family and friends took part in the walk, which began at 7am on Saturday and finished just before 7pm.

The Rev Armstrong said he has raised around £800 in sponsorships himself but hopes the final group total will be much higher.

As well as donating cash to the Blackburn Cathedral Choir's upcoming tour of Europe some money will be donated to the organ appeal at Silverdale Parish Church in north Lancashire.