After overcoming ten flights, four days of climbing and then a final ascent in the middle of the night, two Keighley men have managed to raise £1,000 for charity.

Steve Carroll and Richard Ive climbed Kilimanjaro, Africa's largest mountain, along with Mr Ive's brother Deryck and friend Bill Mercer.

The money raised will go towards the work of the International Myeloma Foundation -- myeloma affects around 4,000 people per year.

Several local businesses supported the trip, along with Haworth Primary School.

The expedition entailed four full days of climbing. The party of 16 was then woken at midnight to make the final ascent to the top of the mountain.

The group also got a view of Kilimanjaro's summit crater, known as Kibo, which measures 1.5 miles across.

Mr Carroll had mixed feelings about the trip.

"It was successful but it was an eye-opening experience and at times it made Keighley look not that bad," said Mr Carroll.

"We basically spent four days walking up a big hill, climbing 1,000 metres a day. Then they got us up at midnight before the final assault. We spent six hours walking over scree and then we got to Gillman's Point."

The group, who were helped by 34 porters, faced extreme conditions, with temperatures as low as minus 14C and a shortage of oxygen as they reached heights of 15,000 feet.

"We were basically freezing. We hadn't washed for five days, we all stank and we all had flatulence because of the malaria tablets. However, it's worth doing and I'm glad I've done it, although once is enough."

The four men then enjoyed half a day on safari, before undertaking a 35-hour trip back to West Yorkshire.

The poverty of Tanzania also shocked Mr Carroll.

"It was a humbling experience coming from this country to the conditions people live and work in for something like £2 a day.

"You don't realise the problems that exist out there. People over here moan about toothache and other such problems but it's nothing compared to Africa."