ONE of the country's leading mountaineers has announced his latest expedition which he hopes will put him into the record books.

Alan Hinkes, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is flying to the Himalayas at the end of next month to attempt to climb Kangchenjunga, which at 8,586 metres is the world's third highest mountain.

If he is successful, he will become the first Britain and one of only 12 people to have climbed all the world's 8,000-metre peaks.

Mr Hinkes had to abandon an attempt on the mountain in May 2000 after bad weather conditions. On his descent a snow bridge collapsed across a crevasse and fell into it, breaking his arm.

Mr Hinkes said: "Kangchenjunga lies at the eastern extreme of the Himalayas and is exposed to exceptionally bad weather conditions as the monsoon period moves in.

"This isn't my first visit to Kangchenjunga and I know what lies in store, the terrain is very difficult and once on the mountain, there is a very serious danger of avalanche and rockfall.

"I am, however, not worried, it feels like I am returning to an old friend and I am really looking forward to it."

Updates of his progress will be posted on the Berghaus website, www.berghaus.com