TWO sisters aged just five and eight and their pet parrot completed the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge at the weekend to raise money for Ebbw Vale scout groups.

Caitlin Winpenny, five, and her sister Ella, eight, who go to Willowtown Primary School in Ebbw Vale, battled 50mph winds to climb Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen Y Fan in just 23 hours and 30 minutes.

The mammoth feat saw the pair camp at the foot of Snowdon on Friday night before waking at 6am on Saturday to begin their first climb.

They then drove to mid-Wales to complete Cadair Idris, in Gwynedd, and then finished the hat trick with a walk up Pen Y Fan in the dark, making it back to the car by 6am on Sunday.

Caitlin, who is in Beavers, and Ella, in Cubs, decided to take their border terrier, Lilith, and their African Grey parrot, Lucy, on the trek as well.

Mum of the girls, Hannah Welsman also went on the challenge and said Lucy the parrot hates being left at home and has been trained to go out on walks with them.

The pair raised a total of £527 for Ebbw Vale Scout Group which includes £266 thanks to a non-uniform day at Willowtown Primary.

Ms Welsman, said: “The girls loved it and were shattered by the end.

“We eat a lot of sweets and sing a lot when we walk which keeps up the motivation. And slug counting, I think we got to 157!”

Ms Welsman thanked everyone who has already sponsored them and her employers, Abbey Vets. Anyone else who would like to sponsor the girls can email hannahwelsman@abbeyvets.co.uk.