Mr Kilby-Taylor will climb the equivalent of Everest 80 times

Robert Kilby-Taylor, 40, of Driffield in East Yorkshire, will scale Scafell Pike in the Lake District to raise money for mental health charity Mencap.

He currently has a slipped disc but will not let the injury stop him.

He said: "I used to go climbing and walking quite often but I've never attempted anything like this before." His challenge will start next summer.

'Wonderful idea'

Scafell Pike is 978m high and the distance he will cover will be the same as scaling Mount Everest 80 times.

Mr Kilby-Taylor said: "I don't know where the idea came from. It just suddenly came to me.

"I've been lying awake at night realising how bizarre this actually is."

He will live in either a tent or a caravan during his challenge.

He also plans to set up a website that he can run from a lap-top computer, so people can keep an eye on his progress.

"I'm hoping some famous people might join in and raise money for charity, but we'll have to wait and see," he said.

Maureen Pepworth, manager of Bridlington and Driffield Mencap Society, said: "I think it's a wonderful idea.

"He's a local lad raising money for his local Mencap charity and he has our total support."