A MOUNTAINEER from the North-East is aiming to become the youngest man to climb the sixth-highest mountain in the world.

As well as the 8,201-metre high Cho Oyu, Ellis Stewart, 28, has another ambition - to reach the summit of Everest.

Many climbers tackle Cho Oyu, which straddles the border of Nepal and Tibet, to prepare for the climb up Everest - it introduces them to the techniques needed to use an oxygen system.

Mr Stewart, from Hartlepool, has already reached the summit of Aconcaua in Argentina, which is the world's highest mountain outside the Himalayas, but said the challenge of Everest demands even higher levels of fitness and stamina.

He said: "It has been something I have wanted to do since being a little boy - to reach the top of Everest.

"All the other treks have been a warm-up, leading to it. Climbing Cho Oyu next month will be the ultimate warm-up expedition for the big one in March."

Mr Stewart gave up his job in the South to move back to his home town of Hartlepool and concentrate on getting fit for the climb.

He said: "Everything else has been put on a back burner for the time being and I am really concentrating on reaching the summit of Everest. When I get to the top it will be really unreal and will be the culmination of my whole life - something I have always dreamt of doing. I have put everything into making it happen and I can't wait."

Mr Stewart has received support from his local Springs health and leisure club, which has granted him a year-long honorary membership, enabling him to train five days a week.