FINANCIAL consultant William Aspinall will be watching his balance in preparation for a gruelling trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.

William, of Keld Close, Woolfold, is planning to scale the 19,340 ft summit to raise money for the cerebral palsy charity Scope.

And the 42-year-old will be hoping for better luck than he had on two previously planned hiking expeditions to America. On both occasions he broke an ankle just before leaving, and had to cancel the trips.

William's African adventure will see him pass through valleys and villages before a strenuous climb to the top of the mountain. The Tanzanian trek covers such wide-ranging terrains as snow fields, moorland and jungle, and will last for ten days.

The training routine for the climb involves testing repeat climbs up and down Holcombe Hill, but William is guarding against another ill-timed injury.

He said: "The training I'm doing is really gruelling, but I'm really conscious that I can't do anything like breaking my ankle again.

"It is a fantastic charity and I am really looking forward to going. It will be so interesting."

Anyone wishing to sponsor William should contact him on 764 5797 or 07761 858369.