Three was the magic number for mountain fundraisers

A fundraising trio have scaled three of Britain's tallest mountains while taking it in turns to be tethered to each other to complete an epic three-legged trek.

They bagged Scotland's Ben Nevis, England's Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon in Wales over three days last week and believe they are the first to complete the Three Peak Challenge in this manner.

To cap off this achievement, the hikers - Edinburgh's Steven Craig, Claire Moon from Hertfordshire and Ann Bentley from Cambridge - all have Type 1 diabetes which had to be carefully monitored during their ascent.

They have already brought in more than 5,000 from the fundraiser which will be gifted to Diabetes UK children's support holidays

City council worker Steven Craig is now recovering from the staggering feat at his Sighthill home.

The heavily-blistered 30-year-old said he was thankful it was now all over.

"We're glad we did it, but we're also glad we're not doing it again!" he said.

"Ben Nevis was the tallest and most difficult peak we faced and as we were walking up at one point we started thinking we wouldn't be able do it.

"You starting thinking of all the people who have donated money to us and we didn't want to go back and have to say we hadn't completed it.

"I don't think we understood how hard a challenge it would be, especially when one of your legs is tethered to a partner."

Mr Craig, whose last mountaineering adventure was as a 17-year-old schoolboy on a Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, said Snowdon was the toughest peak.

"There were high winds gusting as we walking near sheer drops on one side. You don't realise how it affects you being blown about when your leg is strapped to another person."

He said keeping pace with the partner was the most tiring aspect of the climb, but each hiker took turns with the tether to allow one brief respite every few hours.

"We got a lot of comments beforehand saying it's impossible to do but I think that made us more determined to do it."

Sara Ling, Diabetes UK fundraising manager for Scotland, said: "This was a very unusual and incredibly tough challenge to take on.

"We really appreciate the time and effort they have given up to support Diabetes UK in this way."