A Didcot optician walked 23 miles over three peaks to raise funds for a charity after his friend's serious heart condition diagnosis.

Stephen Reader, a clinical technician at Specsavers on Orchard Street, tackled the Surrey Three Peaks Challenge to support his friend who underwent open heart surgery after being diagnosed with a leaky heart valve.

Walking up and down Box Hill, Holmbury Hill, and Leith Hill, Mr Reader completed the challenge with his friend, Rich, surpassing more than £1,000 for Wessex Heartbeat.

The charity that supports the work of the Wessex Cardiac Centre to provide care for patients with heart conditions.

The challenge is part of the National Three Peaks Challenge that takes place twice a year.

Mr Reader said: "I am chuffed that we were able to raise such a lot of money for this incredibly worthwhile charity.

"And I am so grateful to my friends and colleagues at Specsavers Didcot for the support they gave me that enabled us to double our initial fundraising target."

The walk was one of two fundraising charity initiatives by members of the team at Specsavers who also ran a bake sale and games evening at the store, raising £234 for Brain Tumour Research UK.

Hannah Smith, sale organiser and dispensing optician at the store, said: "My amazing colleagues put so much effort into raising money for such important causes.

"Eye checks aren’t just about testing your vision; they can also detect conditions such as tumours early."