DRESSING up in a bright tutu to take on one of the district's steepest hills was all in a day's work for a senior council officer.

Scott Coughlan can normally be found masterminding street cleaning and graffiti clear-ups across the Tandridge area.

But spurred on by colleague Steve Hyder who was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Scott put his dignity on hold for a tongue-in-cheek trek to the summit of "Titseymanjaro".

Whereas Steve's climb was a gruelling 5,895 metres above sea level, the expedition to the summit of Titsey Hill, near Limpsfield, was a little less challenging – at 267 metres.

Scott, 35, said: "After hearing about Steve's amazing effort I decided to do my own sponsored event to rival his.

"But lacking the self-discipline, commitment and general physical stamina I thought it would be better – and more comical – to set my sights a little closer to sea level.

"I commenced official training week with a 'climb' up Snatts Hill in Oxted, which was all of about 100 metres high.

"I had already conquered nearby Station Road East, but in fairness that was not really part of my official training.

"I had simply ran out of Ribena and doughnuts, and had to go to Sainsbury's."

Scott joked: "Frankly I was getting a tad bored with Steve going on and on and on about his challenge every five minutes.

"It started deflecting attention from me.

"Then I really captured attention when I was offered additional sponsorship if I wore purple tights, a purple thong, a purple tutu and a purple rosette for the big ascent."

While most intrepid expeditioners might pack the likes of Kendal mint cake, detailed maps and a water bottle in their rucksack, Scott's load was a little more unconventional.

It included a packet of 20 Superkings cigarettes and two doughnuts, and a teddy bear mascot in a Crystal Palace FC strip

Scott took 30 minutes to reach the summit of Titsey on the day of his "ordeal" – January 19 , also the day Steve reached the top of Kilimanjaro.

Accompanying Scott was his wife Trina – outlandishly dressed in a zebra-style jumpsuit – and council colleague Paul Barton.

The Titseymanjaro trekker has already been pledged £1,100 in sponsorship for The Rainbow Trust, a charity which supports families who have a child with a life-threatening illness.

Now Scott, who lives in Bexhill, East Sussex and is Tandridge District Council's street scene and amenities officer, is looking forward to tackling a "real challenge" in the future, possibly the Inca Trail in Peru.

To sponsor Scott, visit www. justgiving.com/scott-coughlan