A BRITISH Army reservist is currently undertaking a gruelling Three Peaks Challenge with a difference – he's hiking between the three mountains as well as climbing them.

Joe Roberts, from Swanage, is also attempting the marathon adventure with his two sons, Jacob and Aidhan.

He's carried out a number of charity treks in the past, but this is the first time he's made it a family affair.

Joe, who started the three-week trek last weekend, said: "On my previous sponsored cross UK hikes and others, my sons were too young to come along and so the plans for this particular version of the Three Peaks Challenge were actually drawn up a long time ago by way of giving them some early years motivation and a family oriented objective to look forward to.

"In addition to this, in a similar vein, the younger of two sons, Aidhan, is currently excelling in his uniformed services course at Cambridge College, and this venture I know will greatly assist his physical and mental stamina training."

The charity being supported by the trio is the Heroes Haven, a specially-adapted cabin in Swanage which offers injured servicemen and women, and their families, a well-earned break.

Joe said: "The launch of Heroes Haven was understandably well publicised and received a very warm reception, both locally and nationally.

"However, with so very many other charitable causes out there the Heroes Haven has slipped a little out of the public consciousness, and I want to do my part in encouraging people to remember it can take time for a life to bounce back from the kinds of things our servicemen and women experience, and much patience and continued giving is needed in this.

"If everyone gives a little, then that little need not be much of a burden to each of us, yet the whole contribution can grow to be substantial and help greatly with the lives of these brave individuals."

In the past Joe has completed two cross UK sponsored walks, as well as covering a similar sponsored 125cc motorbike trek using in 2009.

The trio tackled Mount Snowdon, Wales, on Sunday, and will hike to Cumbria to climb Scaffell Pike before continuing on foot to Scotland to scale Ben Nevis.