A thrilling climbing wall challenge will bring the Cumbrian Mountain Festival to its exciting climax this Easter.

The Rock, a computerised spinning, tilting climbing wall, has been seen on television programmes such as Tomorrow's World and Blue Peter and is being brought up from London especially for the weekend.

You can take part in the climbing wall challenge at Foxfield Business Park on Saturday, April 19; Lakeside Car Park at Keswick on Sunday, April 20; and the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole on Monday, April 21. There will be prizes for the people who hang on longest.

Richard Warren, secretary of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, said: "The Rock is great fun. You don't need any climbing experience. In fact it's suitable for anyone from the age of six to 60. So come along and see if you are up to the challenge."

Visitors at all three venues will also be able to enjoy RAF search and rescue helicopter displays, and search and rescue dog displays. Many activities will be on offer including competitions.

There will also be illustrated talks across the county, including lectures by internationally renowned mountaineers and a talk on Remote Lakeland from Cumbria Tourist Board chairman Eric Robson.

Just weeks away from the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest, members of the 2001 RAF Everest Expedition will be giving a humorous and fascinating account of what it is like to climb the world's highest mountain. The RAF team can be seen at Whitehaven Civic Hall on April 23 and Kendal Town Hall on April 24.

The Cumbrian Mountain Festival began last year to celebrate the United Nations International Year of the Mountains.

April 16, 2003 11:00