A team of 10 women from Cox Automotive will climb Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the company’s Women With Drive programme.

The challenge will take six days and the all-women team will head to Tanzania on February 24.

"We know that women are under-represented in the motor trade, and Women With Drive exists to celebrate and highlight the role that women play in the industry.

"The team will complete their challenge a few days before International Women's Day on 8 March, and will climb the legendary mountain in the name of the campaign's call to #pressforprogress," said Alison Fisher, HR director at Cox Automotive.

As the climbers reach almost 6,000m (19,336 ft) above sea level, they will face temperatures ranging from 20 degrees during the day to a possible -20 degrees at night.

Fisher added: "Each climber has their own personal motivation to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, and by sending an all-women team, we believe we're sending a really powerful symbol of what women can achieve, to our own industry and beyond."

Cox Automotive launched Women With Drive internally in 2016. Last year it invited the wider automotive industry to join the campaign.

Michael Buxton, CEO of Cox Automotive, said: "According to a recent survey, 84% of women and 64% of men in the UK believe that gender barriers persist in the modern workplace. Women With Drive takes a positive approach to championing equality. The programme celebrates and creates opportunities for inspirational achievements, and holds events that allow both men and women to focus on their own personal development."

As well as promoting equality, the climbers have taken the opportunity to support Cox Automotive's charity partner, Wooden Spoon, raising more than £15,000 in sponsorship for disadvantaged and disabled children in the UK.