Eighteen intrepid walkers defied snow, strong winds and aching muscles to complete a gruelling mountain challenge and raise �4,300 for various charities.

The group, all from north Norfolk, tackled the 27-mile route of the Yorkshire three peaks on April 29, including scaling Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The challenge was made even more difficult by a snowstorm at the top of Pen-y-ghent, gale-force winds on Whernside and sharing much of the route with hundreds of fell runners.

But everybody completed the challenge, with the bulk of the money - �3,300 - going to Cromer Youth Football Club. Mel Seton raised a further �500 for the MS Society, while Victoria Craske collected �500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

? Cromer Youth's coffers were given another big boost when Cromer town, district and county councillor Hilary Thompson handed over a cheque for �3,000 during the club's awards evening at Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre.

Mrs Thompson raised the money by completing a trek to Mount Everest's base camp last autumn.