A VOLUNTEER about to celebrate his 78th birthday is to take on the famous Three Peaks challenge - to help preserve a chimney at Barnoldswick’s Bancroft Mill.

Peter Mitchell, of Napier Street, Cononley, plans to walk the peaks on September 2 - his birthday - to raise cash to help get crucial re-pointing done on the 120 feet chimney, now almost a century old.

Bancroft Mill needs to find about £60,000 over the next few years to carry out the work.

Mr Mitchell, who has been a volunteer at the mill for around two years, previously worked in the textile industry, as an overlooker at Peter Green’s in Cononley.

Later he moved on to work for the Post Office as a postman, and eventually became counter manager at Keighley Post Office.

He also ran the Dogsbody and Friends pet shop in Silsden for around 15 years.

As a keen fell runner who still runs around three times a week, Mr Mitchell is confident he has the fitness to take on the peaks of Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

He said: “It’s obviously a challenge, but I am sure I can do it, especially as I’m hoping to to have some friends along with me on the day. I volunteer at Bancroft M|ill on Saturday mornings and really enjoy it. It’s good to be using some of the skills I learned during my time in the textile industry - this is an important part of our industrial heritage.

“We are helping to restore two looms back to top condition.”

Donations can be made by visiting the web page: www.bancroftmill.org.uk and clicking on the ‘donate’ button in the bottom left hand corner.