Edith Sanderson and Sandra Davidson, regulars at the Joiners Arms, aim to raise £5,000 with their sponsored expedition to the Andes.

Neither of them have done anything like it before, so the 51-year-olds who live in the town are joining a ramblers group to prepare for the rigours of the Inca Trail.

Getting fit is vital for the breath-sapping climb over Dead Woman's pass, 4,200 metres above sea level, during the three-day march to the lost city of Machu Picchu.

They are paying for the trip themselves and the cash they raise will go to the breast cancer unit at Wansbeck General Hospital.

Both of them were moved to raise funds for the treatment centre after seeing friends and colleagues suffer from the potentially fatal condition.

They have already secured more than £2,000 in sponsorship pledges.

And Crown Prosecution Service caseworker Edith and court usher Sandra are confident of more than doubling that in the run up to their departure for the South American country on September 8.

"We are both able-bodied and healthy but nowhere near as fit as we will have to be when we take on the challenge," said Edith.

"So we will we be putting in some hard training sessions between now and September.

"However, it is for a very worthwhile cause so we are determined to succeed."

Joiners Arms landlord George Hall has raised many thousands of pounds for cancer research and treatment with his sponsored walks and wishes the pair all the best.

He said: "They have certainly taken on a tough task.

"There will be some very rugged terrain up in the mountains where the rarefied atmosphere makes it difficult for most people to get enough air into their lungs.

"But those two never stop for a breath during their incessant chattering in the bar — so they will manage, I'm sure of that."