LESLIE HART Hits the heights CHARITY fund-raiser Leslie Hart is no stranger to the wild beauty of East Lancashire's hill country, but is currently travelling much further afield as part of his training for a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

Grandfather Mr Hart, of Whalley Road, Read, will be climbing Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro in January next year, days after celebrating his 50th birthday.

In the meantime, he is keeping in training by walking -- he and some workmates will be tackling the hills of Scotland in April and the Isle of Skye in September -- and he regularly cycles the 15-mile journey to his workplace, ICI Cynetix in Pimlico Road, Clitheroe. When walking in Lancashire, Mr Hart enjoys an exhilarating trek to the top of Pendle Hill. "I've done it so many times, but it's a good walk. Anywhere around Pendle is nice," he said.

In between his training sessions, Mr Hart will be organising a range of fund-raising events to boost his coffers -- he needs to raise £2,950 to make the trek to Kilimanjaro. One event will be a head shave at work on Wednesday.

Money raised from the East African adventure will go towards the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.