Firefighters climbed more than double the height of Mount Everest up a ladder to raise money for a colleague currently battling cancer at the weekend.

West Norwood firefighters organised the climb of more than 17,696m, the equivalent of climbing the mountain twice, at the Lambeth Country Show.

Crew manager Philip Wallis said they undertook the feat to support one of their firefighters currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

Mr Wallis: “We are raising money for him and his family and we are also trying to raise money for the Fire Fighters’ Charity.”

About 15 firefighters from all over London climbed up and down 13.5-metre ladders to reach the target.

Before the climb, Mr Wallis said: “I’m excited and also a bit nervous because it’s quite a lot of hard work.”

Firefighters also provided fire safety advice and demonstrated the danger of chip pan fires by pouring a cup of water on to hot oil.

The same challenge was completed successfully last year and raised £1,200.