STAFF at a York opticians are preparing to climb three UK mountains to save the sight of people in developing countries.

Workers from Specsavers in Low Ousegate have signed up for the Sight Savers Mountain Challenge to climb three mountains in just 24 hours.

During the event on the weekend of July 26 and 27, the courageous challengers will set off for the summit of Stob Ban in Scotland before tackling the Lake District's Hellvelyn and finishing with the highest of the three peaks, Snowdon in Wales.

By the time they finish the York team - one of 30 taking part - will have climbed around 10,000 feet above sea level.

Each team aims to raise £5,000 to support Sight Savers International's work on preventing and curing needless blindness and supporting people who will never see in more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. York Specsavers store director Deryck Watts said: 'We have a team of nine from York taking part in this expedition, with four members of staff and their partners and friends. It's going to be hard work but enjoyable at the same time, we've even started training to make sure we are all at peak fitness."

If you would like to support York Specsavers in their fundraising, phone the store on 01904 655611.

Updated: 08:53 Tuesday, July 15, 2003