A LEADING Kidderminster businesswoman is marking her company's 25th anniversary with ambitious plans to climb Britain's three highest peaks in 48 hours and raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Hewett Recruitment boss, Louise Hewett, will tackle the mammoth heights of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon with her personal assistant, Jo Watkins, at her side.

Leading them in the challenge will be local climbing enthusiast, Malcolm Plant, and they will be joined by Ms Hewett's daughter, Laura, 22, her partner, Mark Lathwood, and Mrs Watkins's husband, Gary.

Apart from Mr Plant, none of the team has climbed a mountain before and all are now deep in preparation for the feat, planned for the weekend of June 11-12.

"The training is quite challenging but it's getting better all the time," said Ms Hewett, "It's quite a scary thought to think we will climb Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike in a day before going on to do Snowdon the next day - weather permitting, of course."

The 49-year-old former Worcestershire Businesswoman of the Year is raising money for Kidderminster's Kemp Hospice and St Richard's Hospice in Worcester, where she has a second branch of her recruitment agency.

"We wanted to do something for charity to mark 25 years in business. It's part of our ethos to be involved in the community," said Ms Hewett.

She and other staff are planning more fund-raising events during the year, including raffles and a promises auction.