A man from Radcliffe climbed up one of the highest mountains in the UK on Christmas Day dressed as Santa.

Zak Ashton decided to scale Snowdon in Wales on Saturday, mimicking Father Christmas, after he got into hiking earlier in the year.

The 31-year-old did the challenge in aid of Samaritans, a charity which helps people in distress.

He said: “I thought I’d do something different with my Christmas Day this year due to the fact that it’s supposed to be a time to spend with family and close friends and there’s just so many people out there that don’t have anyone to go to.

"The Samaritans charity help with suicide prevention and people who are struggling. I thought if there’s some more money going to them it can help people who are struggling.

“I wanted to do it on Christmas Day itself due to it being Christmas and doing it in a Santa suit it might bring a smile to a few people’s faces.

“It shows I’m giving something up to do good for others rather than just doing it on any given day.”

Zak set off to Wales with two friends at 3am on Christmas Day and arrived at 5.30am to be faced with horrendous weather conditions.

They waited until 7am to begin their climb but the weather still had not improved.

He said: “We got there and parked in the Pen-y-Pass car park at the start of the track for Snowdon.

“It was torrential rain and thundering with flashes of lightning above our heads.

“So, my two mates decided not to do it due to risk and I don’t blame them because it’s possibly the worst place you could be in that weather on a mountain.

“I just thought to myself I’m going to give it a go no matter what because I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try to get it done.

“It was almost silly of me really but I just can’t give in, you don’t want to let people down who have donated and shown support and got involved.”

The conditions were treacherous, and Zak said that just 10 minutes after setting off, the hostel next to the car park was struck by lightning which cut the power.

He recalls how his mindset changed to just judging the situation minute by minute.

The pathways were ankle deep in flooded water and the steps to the trail were like waterfalls.

Zak added: “As I got round one corner, I saw lightning hit the ground in front of me.

“It was me on my own going up and then when I was about halfway down, I started to see people coming up.

“By that point it was just heavy rain, a bit windy and some on and off hail and the thunderstorm had passed over by that point.

“I was up and down in less than four hours, I didn’t take any breaks or stops on the way.

"I wanted to get it done as soon as could and get down as fast as I could.

“I wanted to get home for Christmas dinner!”

Zak has so far raised £2,810 and his JustGiving crowdfunding page is still open for people to donate.

Click here to visit and donate.

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