Burnley's 'Fire Guy' takes on sunrise-to-sunset Pendle Hill challenge for Diabetes UK

Daren Harper (31) who is affectionately known to many locals as 'Daren The Fire Guy' thanks to his performances at events including Towneley Bonfire Night, will spend this week climbing up and down Pendle Hill as many times as he can between sunrise and sunset.

By day, Daren works at Tesco, where he says he is regularly recognised by shoppers who know him from his fire performances.

He decided to take on the challenge after seeing first-hand how diabetes affects people close to him.

Daren said: "I'm doing this because I have multiple loved ones affected by diabetes and I feel like not much is known about it by most people. We aren't taught that it affects so many people, but most of us will know at least one person who is living with it.

"As soon as I found out about the Million Steps Challenge from Diabetes UK, I had to do my part."

The Pendle Hill challenge forms part of Diabetes UK's Million Steps Challenge, which encourages supporters to stay active while raising funds for the charity.

Daren has already clocked up around 270,000 steps towards his one-million-step target and says the challenge has been demanding, but puts it into perspective.

He added: “It's definitely a challenge at times, but it's nothing compared to what people who have to live with diabetes on a daily basis go through.”

Supporters can follow Daren's progress and find details of how to donate through his social media channels.