A 90-year-old man from County Durham became the oldest person to climb the mast of the Cutty Sark - only to break his hip in a freak stumble hours later. 

Kelso Yuill of Witton le Wear, near Bishop Auckland, who is getting about with a Zimmer frame, said the accident did not take away from a "fabulous achievement".  

The retired accountant has raised about £2,000 for the Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-service men and women.  And his fundraising continues.(Image: Cutty Sark Rig Climb)

Describing his ascent Mr Yuill said: "It took me 20 minutes in all. I am very pleased with myself, that I managed to do it - and with the amount of money I have raised. 

"I was not frightened at all. I was so busy concentrating on where my next foot was going to be.

"Once got to the first level thought that was enough, but then with only 10 steps up the ladder to the yard arm, I thought 'I've come this far may as well go the rest' and climbed up and walked out to the yard arm." (Image: Cutty Sark Rig Climb)

Wife Anne said: "He did really well. We are really proud of him. He's doing well getting over his fall. 

"His fall was a real fluke. After it was all over, he was walking back to the hotel when he stumbled in a pedestrian precinct.

"He just slipped and that's when he hurt his hip." (Image: Cutty Sark Rig Climb)

Mr Yuill was treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital on his return. 

Mr Yuill, who has been fascinated by the history of ships since he was a young boy, said:  “One of my favourite books growing up was 'Wonderful Story of the Sea' which told the history of ships and shipping from dugout canoes to early 20th century liners.

"I’ve spent much time visiting various ships around the world and when I retired, I fulfilled a promise to my grandchildren and built a pirate ship in the garden.(Image: Contributor)

“I’m currently engrossed in the story of Franklin’s expedition which was dispatched by the admiralty in May 1845 to find and navigate the northwest passage. Two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror sailed to Canada and were never seen again."

He added: "I was celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary last year and went on a mini-Grand Tour of Italy. When I was in Rome I had a go at climbing the 176 Spanish Steps and realised I was quite good at climbing. 

“When planning a trip to the Maritime Museum at Greenwich to gather more information about HMS Terror, I discovered the opportunity to climb the mast of the Cutty Sark, a challenge I could not refuse.”

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Together with his son, Mr Yuill is a member of a local military re-enactment group, the 68th Society which portrays their local regiment, the Durham Light Infantry.

He began to support Blind Veterans UK when his son was serving in the Army. He served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kenya and Iraq. Kelso himself completed National Service with the RAF.

If you would like to support his fundraising visit  JustGiving.com/page/anne-yuill.  If you would like to take on your own challenge for Blind Veterans UK visit the charity’s website: blindveterans.org.uk/fundraise  .