MISSION Impossible reached new heights this week as one Lancaster man took on France's famous Mount Blanc with a blind climber in tow. An expedition that few of us would dare to contemplate was warmly embraced by expert climber David Ridley when he was asked to escort a blind walker up the famous peak, all in the name of charity. David, who was born and bred in Lancaster, led 48-year-old Don Planner of Dorset on the 15,771ft ascent.

David said: "It was quite an expedition. Don suffered from altitude sickness and we walked through bad storms and snow. Once we reached the summit the temperature was as low as -20c."

A mountain guide from Chamonix led the climbers up Mount Blanc while David helped Don with his footing.

The expedition took four days to complete instead of the normal two for experienced climbers.

David's mum Mary, of Lancaster, said: "We're very proud of him, it was a terribly courageous feat."

David, 36, a former pupil at the Dallas Road primary school and Lancaster Royal Grammar School now works at the Calvert Trust in Keswick which specialises in adventure holidays for handicapped people.

"The mountain is prone to avalanches so it some stages it was very dangerous. But many able bodied climbers cannot reach the top of the mountain so Don did very well," David added.

Don is aiming to raise £50,000 in sponsorship money to fund a rehabilitation centre for blind ex-servicemen.

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