Mountaineer in epic feat for charity

Yorkshire mountaineer Alan Hinkes, right, is greeted on summit of Helvellyn by Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District National Park, after climbing the highest hills in each of England's 39 shire counties.

Hinkes, 56, from Northallerton, took eight days to complete the feat, finishing at Helvellyn on Saturday. As he worked his way round England, he took in the likes of Kinder Scout in Derbyshire, the Old Man of Coniston in Lancashire and England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike (978m or 3,210ft), in Cumbria.

The outdoor equipment consultant, who has already climbed the 14 highest mountains in the world, undertook his latest challenge to raise money and awareness for Mountain Rescue England and Wales.

The organisation provides a mountain and cave rescue service made up of 3,500 volunteers.