A SILSDEN man has taken steps – more than 1,000 of them – to raise money for charity.

Will Twigg climbed London's iconic Gherkin building in aid of the NSPCC.

He and five work colleagues joined hundreds who negotiated the stairs of the mammoth 38-floor skyscraper, which is three times the height of the Niagara Falls.

Together the sextet raised over £600.

Mr Twigg, who completed the challenge in nine minutes 30 seconds, said: "It was pretty tough. My legs went like jelly after ten floors but I managed to hang on!"

Mr Twigg, a sales engineer with environmental building products company Caice UK, was joined by workmates from the company's Reading head office.

Once at the top, participants had a rare chance to take in panoramic views of the capital from the exclusive Searcy's bar – normally only open to private members – and enjoy a complimentary massage and glass of champagne.

"We were delighted to raise the amount we did for the NSPCC and thank people for their support," added Mr Twigg.