Mountaineer Alan Hinkes is expected to return to Britain next week after scaling new heights in an extraordinary quest.

After becoming the first Briton in 32 years to conquer the giant Himalayan peak of Annapurna, the country's most successful extreme altitude mountaineer says he wants nothing more challenging than a bag of fish and chips.

But after time spent recuperating in his home town of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Mr Hinkes will be aiming to achieve his goal of climbing all 14 of the world's peaks of 8,000m or more.

In recent years, he has reached the top of 12 of the most famous and dangerous peaks, including Everest and K2, as part of Challenge 8000.

Speaking to The Northern Echo by satellite phone from Kathmandu this week, Mr Hinkes said the Nepalese mountains of Kanchenjunga and Dhaulagiri - the third and seventh highest in the world respectively - would be his next targets.

"I have got 12 of the 14 under my belt and the only seasons I can climb the other two are spring and autumn," he said.

"Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest, so that would be a good time to do it.

"But the only thing I'm thinking about at the moment is getting back to Britain, relaxing and having a nice bag of fish and chips in Northallerton."

Mr Hinkes found national fame five years ago when he sneezed on excess flour from a chapatti while on Nanga Parbat, causing a prolapsed disc in his back. He was stranded on the mountain for ten days before struggling down to be rescued.