A team of Bradford firefighters is determined to scale new levels of endurance - and return a world record back to the city.

The ten-strong team is training hard for a 24-hour ladder climb to be staged next month.

As well as raising thousands of pounds for charity, they are confident the gruelling challenge will recapture a Guinness World Record briefly held by the brigade.

To do so, the men from Bradford and Shipley stations will each have to climb more than 30,000 ft over 24-hours - considerably greater than the 27,000 ft height of Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain.

A Bradford team previously held the record after snatching it from a South African group.

Firefighter Bob Troth, who took part in that triumph, said: "We held it for two months and then a Northern Irish team took it."

He recalled: "I've taken part in a number of marathons and they don't come close to this. I would rather run two marathons one after another than do it again."

But he added: "It was brilliant to take part. Once we'd eventually got over the fatigue, the sense of achievement was incredible."

For Carl Pearson this will be the third climb. An indoor attempt in 1998 proved impossible and was aborted.

He said: "We are all training very hard - an hour's climbing plus other aerobic exercises such as running, swimming or cycling every day. But nothing can prepare you. It is as much of a mental battle as a physical one.

"We had music playing and the crowd kept you going. But when it got to 3am and you were cold, exhausted and wanted to give up, you had to just block everything out and keep on going."

Leading firefighter Gary Davies has organised all three climbs.

He said: "Last time, when the scaffolding was set up in Centenary Square, the biggest thunder storm of the year broke out. It was absolutely pouring and the lightning had come within about half a mile of us. I had called them down from the scaffolding in case of a lightning strike but they were so determined they just wouldn't stop. Luckily the storm died down and they went on to break the record."

This year the event will move to outside Bradford's Kirgate Centre where it is hoped donations from the public will beat the last total of £5,000.

Mr Davies said all funds raised will go to the Hospital Heatbeat Appeal - buying live-saving defibrillators - and the National Fire Services Benevolent Fund. He stressed the brigade was desperately seeking corporate sponsorship and invited companies to contact the Bradford station.

The event kicks off on October 6 at 3pm and will be officially started by a Bradford City player.

Station commander Brian Robson said: "These men have worked so hard in their own time. I've seen them climbing at 7am in the morning and 10pm at night. I am proud of them to bursting point."