Helvellyn weather assessor appointed

A hill-walking fan has landed a top job in the Lake District.

Graham Uney, an outdoor instructor from Snowdonia, has been named as a fell top assessor.

The role includes making the daily climb to Helvellyn's 950m (3,114ft) summit from December to Easter to report on conditions for the Weatherline service.

The Lake District National Park Authority said the service was "almost beyond value".

Mr Uney, who has previously lived in the Lake District, was chosen from about 100 applicants and will work alongside longstanding assessor Jon Bennett.

He said: "The prospect of returning to stay for my weekly shift is great. There's nowhere quite like it."

The two men will work alternate weeks to update conditions for the phone and online service.

In winter, they can include driving rain, snow drifts and wind chill temperatures of -16C.

Mr Bennett said it was vital in winter months to check conditions underfoot and assess risks, including potential avalanches, and that daily weather reports were a lifeline.

Head of Lake District National Park commercial services, Liz Moss, said: "We have some of the world's most spectacular mountains and keeping those venturing on them as safe as possible is paramount."