Top Tory's father climbs mountain

Scafell Pike is England's highest peak

Nigel Hague, father of shadow foreign secretary William Hague, is marking his 81st birthday by climbing Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

He is taking on England's highest peak on Wednesday in an effort to add to the £50,000 he has already raised for children's charity the NSPCC.

Last year the Rotherham-born octogenarian climbed nearby Helvellyn in six hours with his son William.

Cash raised will go towards NSPCC projects in South Yorkshire.

Mr Hague is climbing the 3,210ft (978m) peak with David Powell-Thompson, who has appeared on TV's Wainwright Walks with walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury.

He said: "I've been a keen walker all my life and I love being outdoors.

"Last year I climbed Helvellyn in six hours and my late wife said to me 'if you're foolish enough to be climbing mountains you should do it for charity,' which is why I'm tackling Scafell for the NSPCC.

"I'm amazed at the amount of money I've managed to raise so far.

"I didn't set myself a target and would have been happy to raise £5,000 so to reach £50,000 is fantastic."

He added: "I'm pleased to be supporting the NSPCC because I'm a family man and I want this money to help other families and children."

NSPCC spokeswoman Claire Reading said: "Nigel has raised an incredible amount of money which will make a significant difference to the lives of the children we support."