A PAIR of bank workers have helped raise more than £80,000 for a charity which supports hospices by climbing the UK's highest mountain.

Kay Mackintosh, of Northallerton, and Fiona Allen-Ross, of Richmond, joined 87 Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank colleagues in climbing 1,343m above sea level to the summit of Ben Nevis.

During the eight-hour trek, the group tackled rough terrain, steep inclines and snowy ground before crossing the boulder field to the summit cairn.

Mrs Mackintosh, 52, said: "It was a challenging, but fantastic and very rewarding experience to climb Ben Nevis alongside my colleagues in aid of Help the Hospices.

"The bank is supporting us by match funding every penny raised which was a great motivation along the way.”