INTREPID adventurer Alan Hinkes was on top of the world yesterday after becoming the only Briton to have conquered the world's 14 highest peaks.

The 51-year-old grandfather, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, earned his place in the history books after fighting his way through snow and bad weather to reach the summit of Kangchenjunga, in Nepal.

It means he is the first Briton to stand on top of the planet's 8,000m-plus mountains - and only the 13th in the world to do so.

Together with friend and climbing partner Pasang Gelu, he reached the 8,587m peak at about 7pm on Monday - then took a further two days to return to base camp.

Once he reached the top, he took out pictures of his daughter, Fiona, 21, and baby grandson, Jay, and recorded the feat on film.

Alan's quest began 18 years ago, when he conquered the 8,000m Shishma Pangma. His efforts to climb Kangchen-junga, the world's third-highest mountain, had been thwarted twice before - once by weather, once by illness.

Speaking from his 6,000m base camp yesterday, he said: "The final summit push was, without a doubt, the hardest climb of my life.

"Every step of the way was a matter of physical and mental endurance.

"The snow was so deep that we had to bivvy on the hillside at around 7,400m. We tried for a summit attempt on the Sunday but we were beaten back by the weather."

They set out again early on Monday and made good time, despite further snowfalls.

He said: "I reached the summit at around 7pm in driving snow and wind. It was the worst summit conditions I can remember."

On the way down, there was a brief scare when Alan couldn't find Pasang, but after he did the two set off for the two-day descent to base camp.

"Getting back to base camp was one of the best feelings of my life," said Alan.

"I sat down in my tent and thought I've finally done it."

Sir Chris Bonington, himself one of the most successful expedition leaders in the history of mountaineering, said last night: "It is a colossal kind of mountaineering marathon.

"It takes a lot of endurance, a lot of determination, a lot of mountaineering competence and immense determination and Alan has shown all these things. It is a huge personal achievement."