ESTATE agents in Burnley and Pendle are preparing to get their hands dirty as they tackle one a fearsome course in aid of Pendleside Hospice.

No fewer than 17 property employees for Petty's are in training for the Total Warrior Challenge on June 28.

The 12 kilometre course will see the white-collar workers muck in and take on ice-water plunges, mud-sucking crawls and a leap of faith over fiery coals, in Leeds' Branham Park.

Ian Bythell, a Petty's director, said: "We haven't really fully grasped what we've got ourselves in for yet.

"The idea of Total Warrior is both exciting and terrifying at the same time.

"But to know we’re doing it for a good cause does make it all the more worthwhile and hopefully all 17 of us will make it to the end of the course."

The team, drawn from the firm's offices in Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Barrowford and Barnoldswick, is aiming to collect more than £3,000 for the Reedley hospice through sponsorship.

Their progress can be followed, or donations made, through their fundraising website, www.justgiving.com/Pettys-Total-Warrior

Last year Mr Bythell completed a 220-lap, or 145-mile tour, of the Steven Burke Cycle Hub, to raise £100 for the hospice, with the help of Kirsti Grayson, of Go Velo.

The sponsorship was matched by Going Dutch florist Peter Boast, based in Nelson.