IF you hear the word WAG you may think of scantily-clad young ladies sipping champagne in trendy London nightspots.

IF you hear the word WAG you may think of scantily-clad young ladies sipping champagne in trendy London nightspots.

But a team of intrepid “Army WAGs” (all wives and girlfriends of soldiers) are today preparing to pull on their walking boots and take on the daunting task of scaling the highest points in England, Scotland and Wales.

The seven-strong team - a very different breed from those seen clinging desperately on to the arms of famous footballers - are aiming to complete the intimidating Three Peak Challenge in just 24 hours.

The woman, aged between 22 and 32, are undertaking the challenge in aid of Help for Heroes, a charity which provides support for injured servicemen and women and their families.

Chloe Moore, 22, said she and her six companions had been out training every week in preparation for the challenge, which will officially start when they arrive in Scotland at the base of Ben Nevis at 6am on August 23.

Supported by an army guide and driver, they will go on to scale Scafell Pike in the Lake District - the highest mountain in England - and finish the test by climbing Snowdon, in Wales.

Mrs Moore's husband Darren is a soldier based at RAF Wattisham, along with the husbands and partners of the other climbers, and he recently returned from a ten-week tour in Afghanistan.

She said: “Our husbands have all come back from Afghanistan and we have heard all the stories and it's quite close to all our hearts. We (the wives and girlfriends) try not to think about it and get on with things and look forward to them coming home.”

Others taking part in the challenge include Karen Mitchell, Sian Forster, Holly Girdler, Nikki Irons, Trisha Mayer and Jo Phillips. They are hoping to raise �2,000.

To sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/armywagsthreepeakschallenge.

Are you taking on an unusual challenge? Call the newsdesk on 01473 324790 or e-mail newsdesk@eveningstar.co.uk