A Wymondham hairdresser gave customers a fright yesterday as she donned a ghoulish Halloween costume in a bid to raise sponsorship for a challenging mountain climb.

Kirsty Jones-Hanford, 21, manager at Cutting Edge hair salon, hoped her surprise dressing-up efforts would help her inch closer towards a �4,300 fundraising target she needs to hit before embarking on a trip to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro next September - the highest peak in Africa standing at 5,895m (19,341ft) above sea level.

Money raised by the challenge will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support which helps people living with cancer.

Kirsty, who dressed up as an Avatar, said: 'I have never done anything like this at all. It's one of those things which is a once in a lifetime thing. It's only just sunk in. I've been going through photos of other people's trips and I've done some more research - I'm getting more excited as I learn more about it. I can't wait.'

So far Kirsty has managed to raise about �1,000 but hopes to boost her total with a series of fundraising activities in the run up to the climb.

As part of her training she also intends to complete the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge next summer, which involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours.

On why she selected Macmillan Cancer Support as her chosen charity, said said: 'I knew I always wanted to support a cancer charity. I have not been affected personally but I know people with cancer.

'I have a friend who volunteered with Macmillan and I learned a bit more about it through them. It is such a fantastic charity. The stories I heard were heart-breaking but really uplifting as well.'

To sponsor Kirsty, visit Cutting Edge hair salon in Lime Tree Avenue, Wymondham.