A WEST Devon couple are putting in extra training hours, when they plan to take on a six day trek across Venezuela next month.

Annie Lott and Liam James, who are both 23 and from Spreyton, will travel to South America to climb Mount Roraima to raise money for Country Holidays for Inner City Kids (CHICKS).

Annie, who has been a volunteer for the charity for the last five years, said the decision to take on the trek and raise money, came about after she realised she wanted to do more.

She said: 'I've been volunteering since I was 18. I've done fundraising before, but nothing on this scale before.

'Liam is hoping to do some volunteering too, but at the moment he can't fit it around work.'

Annie said they are trying to get prepared for the trip.

She said: 'We haven't done a huge amount of training and there's only six weeks to go.

'Luckily we are both fairly fit people anyway and we have been running once a week with the Kirton Hash Harriers.

'We are being sponsored by Cornish Mutual Assurance, who have been great and a big support. We are both really looking forward to the trek and are raising money for a charity close to our hearts.'

The pair, who will be climbing with two other walkers from the CHICKS team and five from the Teenage Cancer Trust, are currently two thirds of the way towards their £6,000 fundraising target. They are due to leave on Thursday, October 15.