A FITNESS expert is putting theory into practice to prepare for the challenge of climbing the UK's highest mountains in two days.

Lynne Abbatiello, manager at Fitness Plus ladies' gym, off Stourport Road, Kidderminster, has drawn up her own fitness plan to ensure she is ready to climb to the tops of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis - the tallest in Wales, England and Scotland.Lynne Abbatiello prepares for her Three Pearks challenge

Her marathon Three Peaks adventure is in aid of Macmillan Nurses, an organisation which helped care for her parents.

She will be joined on the expedition by pal Sue Baylis, of Stourport, and other fund-raisers in an event organised by the charity group Adventure 2003.

Her trip starts at 2am on Friday, June 13, when she sets off up Mount Snowdon, in the heart of Snowdonia, followed by a 2pm departure up Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

She will then head north to Ben Nevis in the highlands of Scotland, which she aims to start climbing at 3am on Saturday morning.

The group will be transported by coach between mountains.

Lynne has been preparing by regularly exercising at the gym, where she takes fitness classes and helps women get into shape through a mixture of exercise and nutrition advice.

"It seemed like a really good idea and a great way to raise money for MacMillan Nurses. Everyone at the gym has been a great help," she said.