HANNIBAL once crossed the Alps on the back of an elephant - now fundraisers at the Blue Bell Inn are planning to follow in those rather large footsteps by doing the same across the Pennines.

No longer content with challenges like a 32-mile trip across Loch Ness on a pedalo or cycling across much of Britain for charity, the Ales Angels are now considering crossing the Pennines with an elephant.

The six friends who formed their group as a bet in the inn, in Fossgate, York, are considering their next move after handing over £6,000 to three worthy causes after this year's efforts.

The money was raised through sponsorship for the Loch Ness stunt and at the Blue Bell's recent sixth annual charity beer fest, which boasted 26 beers, cider and perry, a barbecue, raffle, tombola and duck shoot.

"There must have been 300 people outside the pub," said Jim Hardie, landlord.

The supporters raised £2,500 within seven-and-a-half hours.

Jim has presented £2,000 each to the RNLI, the Woodlands MS Respite Centre and Westfield School to buy sports equipment for disadvantaged children.

A film of the Loch Ness stunt has been made and is expected to be premiered at York City Screen next year in a bid to raise even more funds.

The Ales Angels' latest ambition has been inspired by the Carthaginian general Hannibal (247-182 BC) who crossed the Pyrenees and Alps with elephants to catch the Romans off guard and invade Italy during the Second Punic War.

Jim said: "It is just an idea at this stage, but I said that last year about the pedalo.

"I know someone who used to work in a circus. He has contacts.

"It might become a bit of a health and safety issue - if an elephant escapes it's not like walking a dog that you can just drag along if it changes its mind."

The group includes Neil Watson, an engineer of Stockton Lane, York, Steve Morrison, a music shop owner of Tadcaster Road, York, David Foster, landlord of the Golden Ball, Graham Chaddock, an art teacher, of Ruswarp, near Scarborough, and Syd Scott, a senior civil servant, from Haxby.

They have already cycled coast-to-coast, crossed Scotland, biked from Galway to Dublin, London to York, London to Paris and Edinburgh to York, in their seven-year history.