A SOLICITOR from Burnley is in training to scale four of the highest peaks in Britain and Ireland in memory of a University student who died of meningitis.

Steve Jackson, 28, is joining five other friends in the gruelling challenge to climb Ben Nevis, in Scotland, Scafell Pike, in England, Snowdon, in Wales, and Carrauntoohil, in Ireland, later this month.

They hope to raise a total of £6,000 - £1,000 each - which will be divided between the Meningitis Trust, Hope and Homes for Children and Mind.

The friends, who met while studying at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, plan to get up and down Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowden - the traditional three-peak route - in 24 hours before travelling to Ireland to climb the fourth peak.

One of the five lost one of his close friends to meningitis while the group were at University, prompting the fundraising drive.

In total, over the 48 hours they have given themselves to complete the challenge, they will walk more than 50kms.

The former pupil at Habergham High School, Burnley, who works for Southerns, in Albert Road, Colne, has been training hard for the charity trek, although had to take a break to recover from a knee injury he sustained while out running, but will have to conquer his fear of heights to complete it.

He said: "We had a bit of a stressful moment on a practice climb where we took a wrong turn on a mountain in Wales and ended up climbing a sheer cliff face in the rain.

"I'm not very good with heights so that was a bit scary. But as long as nothing like that happens I should be all right.

"It is going to be a tough challenge, but I am looking forward to it."

In the meantime Steve, who lives with his fiance, Jane Armstrong, 25, in Cumbrian Way, Burnley, has been busy fund-raising.

His employers supported his efforts by allowing him to do a Wills Week, where he drew up people's wills in return for a donation, where he raised around £500.

But he still has a further £500 to raise and is appealing for anyone who like to make a donation to contact him on 07870 190 535 or visit the group's website at http://4peaks2004.mysite.freeserve.com