CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council's leader has been in training for one of his biggest challenges, which doesn’t involve his usual surroundings.

Cllr Emlyn Dole has been training for the Three Peaks Challenge which he is starting this Sunday.

He has been exercising and visiting the gym, including testing out new equipment in Carmarthen Leisure Centre.

Mr Dole has chosen to take on the challenge, which involves climbing Snowdon in North Wales, Cadair Idris in Mid Wales and Pen Y Fan in South Wales, to raise money for local charities.

Cllr Dole will begin his challenge of Sunday May 29 by climbing Snowdon, which at 1085 meters is the highest mountain in Wales and a walk of around 10 kilometres.

Next Wednesday, Cllr Dole will climb Cadair Idris, a four to five kilometre walk, and a height of 893 metres. The last peak, Pen-Y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons, will be tacked on Friday June 3, which is a five to nine kilometre walk and a height of 886 metres.

The councillor said he was inspired to take on the personal challenge after hearing about the achievements of the Duke of Edinburgh award winners.

He said: “I have been in training and I think, I hope, I am fit enough to the on the challenge. I am actually looking forward to it. I would imagine the view from the top of Snowdon must be amazing, particularly if the weather is kind.

“I am doing this for myself, to set myself a goal and a challenge I never thought I would do, and also to raise money for charities which are close to my heart.”

The charity Cllr Dole is supporting are the Cronfa Eluned Mair Daniel Trust, set up by Eluned’s family after she suffered brain damage following a heart attack at the age of 21, and the Upper Gwendraeth Sports and Community Association.