A pair of intrepid Addingham men will celebrate their 50th birthdays on top of Africa's highest peak next month.

Robert Fairs and Richard Smith will be armed with a bottle of fine whisky when they fly out to Africa next week to begin a month-long climbing expedition. The friends, both from Moor Lane, plan to enjoy a well earned drink at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,340ft the tallest mountain on the continent.

That ascent will be the culmination of a three-peak challenge on a completely different scale to the Yorkshire version - with 17,000 ft Mount Kenya and 17,500ft Mount Meru also on the itinerary.

For Mr Fairs, who turns 50 this March, the adventure will be the second time he has attempted the climb, as he explained.

"I have climbed Kilimanjaro before, in 1999, when I raised money for the Holly Bank Trust in Mirfield, but Richard missed out and was disappointed not to have gone.

"So I mentioned this trip on his 50th birthday after we'd both had a few drinks, and he jumped at the chance. Our family and friends all think we are mad!

"But the idea is that we'll both be standing on the highest point of Africa in our 50th year - and the three mountains total height is just over 50,000, so the theme is '50,000 for our 50ths'."

Lorry driver Mr Smith and landscape gardener Mr Fairs are also aiming to raise thousands of pounds for charity from the trip, and have already passed their initial £2,000 sponsorship target.

Half of the proceeds will be used to help the Annette Fox Leukaemia Research Foundation's work at Bradford Royal Infirmary, a cause also supported by the men's local pub, the Craven Heifer. The other half will be given to the Meningitis Research Foundation. Mr Smith lost a relative to the condition.

The men have been getting into physical shape for the challenges ahead by going on regular training trips to the Lake District.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the pair can contact Mr Fairs by calling (01943) 831064.