FIVE mates are pulling on their hiking boots for a 50 mile trek to help fund diabetes research.

The quintet -- all regulars at the Bull's Head at Astley -- will spread their Yorkshire Dales sponsored walk over three days and hope to boost British Diabetic Association funds by £1,000.

"We hope to raise awareness and highlight the BDA's endeavour to find a cure for diabetes," explained group spokesman Tony O'Malley of Penketh Avenue, Astley.

"We are appealing to local businesses and friends to support this very worthy cause.

"Diabetes affects around three per cent of the UK's adult population. About 1.4 million people have been diagnosed including 20,000 under 20 year-olds and in the past 10 years the incidence of diabetes in the under fives has doubled."

Insulin dependent diabetes usually affects children and young adults and involves daily injections of insulin.

Symptoms include excessive thirst, extreme hunger, dramatic weight loss, weakness, irritability and fatigue.

Diabetes can lead to vascular disease, kidney disease, hypertension and blindness. Uncontrolled it can lead to unconsciousness and possible death.

Each year the BDA spends over £4.5m funding over 160 different research projects but lack of funds means they have to turn away submitted projects.

Donations -- made payable to the British Diabetic Association -- can be sent to Tony at 1 Penketh Avenue, Astley, M29 7DS.

Pictured:Getting ready for the off are trekkers Tony O'Malley, Dennis Sale and Tony Hunter