Tony Phillips taking it in his stride

A pair of Sidmouth barmen had to hot-foot it to raise funds for blind kids in Exeter as they ran across searing hot coals.

Toy Phillips and Steve Aggett from the Anchor Inn braved the 1200-degrees-Fahrenheit walk last Friday, before cooling their feet on the grass.

The 30 fire walkers each pledged to raise £100 for charity, but the organisers are optimistic the sponsorship will amount to £4,000 for the West of England School and College for children with little or no sight.

Tony, who is also a care officer at the school, said: “Steve took a lot of persuading, but I also got him to do a 50-foot abseil off Debenhams a few years ago.”

The event at the Double Locks pub was a vital fundraiser for the school, as each of the pupils contends with additional medical or learning needs.