THE prospect of a tough climb up Mount Kilimanjaro has opened the eyes of two Wallingford women to the beauties of the countryside around their own homes.

To get into shape for their charity climb next year, neighbours Natalie Jenkins, 21, and Andrea Corbett, 28, from Fir Tree Avenue decided to tackle a series of walks.

Miss Jenkins said: "We bought a book of walks around Wallingford and it has been a real eye-opener.

"We never knew just what lovely countryside there was on our own doorsteps."

But their eyes are firmly fixed on their five-day trek in Tanzania next year.

They are raising £3,000 each for Marie Curie Cancer Care nurses working in Oxfordshire.

Miss Jenkins, who works for Wallingford firm Beechcroft Developments, said: "That £3,000 is a minimum - we would love to raise a lot more for what is a very good cause."

Miss Corbett is a PE instructor at Didcot Girls School.

They are organising events to raise money. The first is during Wallingford's Medieval Night on December 7 when the mayor Nigel Moor, will switch on the Christmas lights.

They will have a tombola in Sibo's in Market Place with prizes given by Wallingford businesses.

Donations can be made for their trip via the www.mariecurie.org/events website.