EXMOOR-based Sir Ranulph Fiennes, described in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's greatest living explorer, was on his way back to West Somerset this week after conquering the notorious North Face of the Eiger.

Sir Ranulph, 63, who farms at Exford, and who suffers from chronic vertigo, is hoping to have raised £1.5million for the Marie Curie cancer fund.

His blog on MySpace on Saturday read: "10.30am: We have reached the summit of the Eiger."

Speaking to reporters after the ascent, he said: "I decided that the way to deal with vertigo was not to look down at any point, but to focus viciously on the next upward movement.

"I am very pleased that we succeeded in getting to the top, and I'm really hoping for big money for our charity."

See Thurday's County Gazette for more.