mountaineer Alan Hinkes is auctioning his mobile phone number on an Internet site for charity.

The 50-year-old from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is hoping to reach the top of Kangchenjunga in Nepal next year and become the first Briton to climb all the world's 8,000m peaks.

Until Wednesday, fans can bid for his mobile number by visiting ebay.co.uk and searching for the name Alan Hinkes.

Cash raised will go to the Mountain Rescue Council of England and Wales.

A spokeswoman for Sunderland outdoor company Berghaus, which is sponsoring Mr Hinkes, said: "Next spring, Alan sets off on his final summit bid and, if successful, will enter the history books.

"The highest bidder will be able to personally congratulate him, should he be successful, and can share the moment with the man himself.