A TRIO of mountaineering medics are hanging up their stethoscopes and taking to the hills in a bid to raise charity cash.

The GPs at practices in Ribbleton, Deepdale and Longridge, are to take part in a 12-hour challenge which will see them cross the Lake District on foot, by bike and in canoes. They will be joined by another Longridge doctor who will act as support driver.

They hope to raise more than £5,000 for the Wooden Spoon Society, which looks after disadvantaged children.

Dr Cameron Wilson, 44, of Deepdale Healthcare Centre, Flintoff Way, said they will compete with 30 other teams from across the UK.

"It's called the Wooden Spoon Challenge and we have to canoe 12 miles, cycle for 30 and run for eight," said the father-of-four.

"We've been training hard but, yes, it's going to be difficult."

Dr Wilson is joined by GP Steve Griffin, 40, of Longridge and Dr Richard Parry, 50, who works at a surgery in Longridge Road, Ribbleton.

The pals have been training together for nearly six months.

Dr Wilson said: "I don't really know what motivated us to do the challenge, but we're always doing things like this.

"Steve and I have done long distance walking for charity and he did the London Marathon a few weeks ago.

"We should be okay because we've been putting in the training but the canoeing is going to be tough because there's not many places to practise around Preston!"

The team will compete in the challenge on May 21. If you would like to sponsor them, call Dr Steve Griffin on 01772 783021.