About two dozen pub regulars are to walk on hot coals in an attempt to raise �1,000 for a child charity.

The landlady of Acorn Pub in Ilkeston, Derbyshire will join her regulars for a trot over the wood-and-embers to help Childline, a 24-hour helpline for children in the UK.

Publican Jill Draper said: "We have had three fire walkers who have had cold feet in the past few hours.

"We are hoping a few heroes will come forward to take their places."

Wood and coal

The firewalk, organised by the Nottingham-based group Blaze, also called Men in Black, is meant to be a mind-over-matter occasion, she said.

The heat of the coals is expected to reach 1,050 F.

I am so confident that I would do it now

Jill Draper Landlady and firewalker

A training session to introduce and explain the firewalk takes two hours and is held in privacy behind closed doors. No drugs or alcohol are allowed.

Mrs Draper said: "Then we go down the fire escape to the back yard where they have put down turf - and build a fire with wood and coal."

Asked if she was concerned about the event, Mrs Draper said: "I am so confident that I would do it now."

She added: "I would be happy if we raised �1,000, we are only a little backstreet pub but everybody has been absolutely marvellous."

The entire Acorn pub staff is joining in the firewalk, with one of them planning to dress as Santa Claus for the Friday night event.