NINE Gloucestershire police officers are preparing to take on one of Britain’s most inhospitable mountains three times over in aid of Help for Heroes.

PCs Roni Dadge and Wayne Qualter, of the constabulary’s Domestic Abuse Unit, have organised the expedition up Pen-Y-Fan in South Wales on August 1.

Standing at more than 880 metres high in the Brecon Beacons, the group are tasked with scaling the peak three times in a row within eight hours – covering a total of 15 miles.

Both PC Dadge and PC Qualter are former members of the military, as is another climber, acting Sergeant Launa Wallace.

Luckily for the team, PC Qualter is also a qualified mountain leader.

"Our inspiration to complete this comes from the constant and distressing daily news coverage of our military personnel returning wounded, often fatally," said PC Dadge.

"Their courage and determination to continue to live full lives should be an inspiration to us all.

"Pen-Y-Fan is used as a training ground by military personnel so we realise that the expedition will require grit and determination.

"Whilst the participants are all relatively fit, we do envisage that we will encounter the usual problems with blisters along with sore and aching muscles."

Two support staff will also travel with the party to help with fund raising at the bottom of the mountain.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor the group can visit their online donations website at www.bmycharity.com/penyfantrichallenge