INTREPID Peter Neaves is temporarily leaving behind a life of cracking crime for a 1,200-mile trip to investigate the Atlas mountains.

Peter works full-time as a civilian Crime Scene Investigator with Blackburn Police but will trek up Morocco's Mount Jbel Toubkal -- the highest peak in North Africa -- on a mission to raise money for children.

The 38-year-old admits that the six-day climb is his "hardest-ever challenge" but is looking forward to taking snaps of the rolling hills instead of crime scenes.

From his family home in Ivy Street, Burnley, Peter is training by walking Pendle Hill, swimming, cycling and planning to tackle Snowdon in the Spring.

He has to raise £1,800 to fund the high altitude expedition in aid of London-based Kith And Kids Charity, which helps children with learning difficulties.

The team of 30 hikers will be packed off for the 13,671 feet trek on June 12 next year with one overnight stop in Marrakesh before hitting the hills.

"I am most worried about finding out I am not as fit as I thought and the prospect of being last in the group or suffering from serious altitude sickness" said Peter.

"The first day we will barely have had time to sleep in Marrakesh before we are whisked off to the foot of the hill and start climbing to the first base camp at 2,100 metres.

"Then we hike to 3,200 metres and finally follow the scree slope up to the summit ridge at 4,167 feet. You don't need oxygen but it will be very tough -- around 33 degrees at the bottom but snow covered at the top."

But trading the photographs of crime scenes for the panoramic views from the summit ridge of mount Toubkal should make it all worthwhile.

Peter has worked for twelve years as a scene of crime investigator and concentrates on gathering evidence to convict criminals. He said: "Climbing mountains might not be part of our daily routine but I love my job and the buzz of using our wits against criminals to put them behind bars. I think the team work learned from the job with the force will help me through the challenge in Morocco."

The father-of-two wants to take up the challenge to raise money for children with autism and Down's Syndrome and has already totted up £800.

"Although my children have had no problems, a friend's child was recently diagnosed with autism and it is something very close to my heart."

He said: "I have lost 17Ibs so far in the last four weeks so at least I am going in the right direction!"