AN ENGINEER who achieved a lifelong dream of seeing Everest has issued a message of thanks to sponsors who helped him get there.

And Philippe Handford, 43, of Ribblesdale Place, in Barrowford, revealed he is now well equipped to tackle the British winter after experiencing temperatures of minus 18 whilst camping in Nepal.

His 17-day trek, which took him to the summit of Kala Pattar, next to Everest, raised more than £3,600 for Scope, the charity for people with cerebral palsy.

Philippe, a married father-of-three, said he would like to investigate more far-flung treks if his wife could spare him again, despite the basic conditions that included holes dug in the ground for toilets.

The senior project engineer for Prestige Medical, in Blackburn, who only returned from his trek three days ago, said his weeks of preparation walking around Barrowford in walking boots with a rucksack had paid off. He said: "The trek was hard going, though we had yaks to carry our bags some of the way.

"Being in that mountain environment was exhilarating just as I had hoped it would be.

"The conditions were very basic and the novelty of sleeping in a tent soon wore off, but it was still an amazing experience.

"We had to sleep fully clothed and keep our camera batteries in the sleeping bag, so they didn't get damaged.

"I had always dreamed of seeing Everest and the views were amazing.

"I always thought I would have loved to climb it but who knows what might happen. It was a long time to be away from my wife and I don't know if she would let me do it again.

"I took photos almost constantly and will be showing them to all the relatives over Christmas.

"I am enormously grateful to all the sponsors who made this possible for me by giving donations to an excellent cause.

"The experience was absolutely wonderful and I'm glad to have been able to raise so much money for charity."