A pub in Watford was one of ten which joined forces to raise £20,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Essex Arms in Langley Way, together with another nine Ember Inns pubs, has organised days out, quizzes and sponsored challenges to raise money for the cause, including a trek across Peru.

Essex Arms manager Anna Vye took on a gruelling ten-day journey from Lima, the capital of Peru, to the ruins of Machu Picchu, a 15th century city in the Urubamba Valley.

Ms Vye, 28, said: “Getting to the end was fantastic - it was breathtaking. I’m not the fittest person so it was very challenging. It is just a sense of achievement - it makes you very proud.”

During the trip in October, she also had the opportunity to meet some of the local people.

She said: “It made me realise how lucky we are, just to see how they live and that they are so happy.”

Other fundraisers included a trip to Ascot for Ladies day and raffling off a large hamper full of Christmas treats.

Staff at the pub also completed a sponsored race, which involved them running from Northwood while carrying kegs of beer. Ms Vye added: “Everyone was really supportive and sponsored me - they did all they could to help me raise money.”

Andrew Poynter, the retail business manager for Ember who also took part in the trek, presented the society with a cheque for the £20,000 raised by the pubs in 2011.

He said: "I'm over the moon we have raised so much money for a charity which is very close to our hearts here at Ember."