IT MAY be a long time before one Worcester landlord ventures out on a camping trip having spent five nights in a tent on scaffolding above his pub.

Keith Newby managed to complete the Chimney Pot Challenge at The New Inn, Claines, which will raise £3,000 to be split between St Richard's Hospice and the Magg's Day Centre.

Despite howling winds, dropping temperatures and lashing rain, he managed to get through the ordeal with a little help from his friends who brought him food, hot drinks and some moral support.

The two charities were chosen through a balloting system as customers who donated and businesses who bought banners for the side of the scaffolding nominated who they would like to see the money go to.

Around 30 different charities were nominated including everything from dogs homes and Help for Heroes to the British Heart Foundation and Claines Church.

He took on the challenge as he has a fear of heights and the idea snowballed after two customers originally offered him £1,000 to sleep on a cherry picker after seeing how shaky he was taking down a flag.

The 41-year-old said: "It was absolutely awesome - but I don't think I will be going back up the scaffolding any time soon.

"I don't know when I am going to get my stuff down.

"When I was up there people went out of their way to make it a home from home for me - I think my wife Maria was getting a bit fed up!

"There were people bringing me sandwiches and scones, horns were beeping away from people driving past and even coming down there were lots of people outside cheering.

"It was one of those ideas we came up with and it just snowballed and within ten days we had it organised."

As well as regulars, the local police and six-year-old Finley Townsend, who donated his £5 pocket money, Mr Newby also took two calls from New York - one from the sister of a customer and another from a tabloid newspaper which wanted to feature his challenge.

"I was overwhelmed, the response has been brilliant - you have to pinch yourself sometimes.

"Lots of people from Claines and Worcester visited and have been so generous, especially just before Christmas."

Fundraising will carry on until Friday as people continue to pledge money.

Anyone wishing to donate should drop into The New Inn, Ombersley Road.