INTREPID mountaineer Alan Hinkes warmed up for his latest Himalayan challenge with a gentle 30ft stroll - up the side of a County Durham law firm's new headquarters.

The 49-year-old climber, from Northallerton, in North Yorkshire, is already the first Briton to top 12 of the world's 14 mountains over 8,000-metres high and is about to launch his bid to beat the remaining two.

Yesterday, he donned wig and gown to scale the offices of Hewitt's solicitors, in Bishop Auckland, and unveil the firm's flag on the "summit" in true mountaineering tradition.

In a few days' time he will announce his next target, choosing from two of the world's most difficult climbs. Kanchenjunga and Dhaulagiri are the only two of the Challenge 8000 peaks he has left to conquer and both are in the "death zone" - an unforgiving environment where the body rapidly deteriorates and no one can survive for more than a few days.

He will be making his decision next week after studying weather conditions and talking to backers.

He said: "I've just returned from Inner Mongolia in China where I was hill walking in temperatures of minus 30 in training for the Himalayas.

"I'm looking forward to the next challenge. It is always very hectic preparing for a climb, so I will be happy when I can get started."

Hewitts' staff team of 100, including 16 partners and 14 solicitors, moved into the Newgate Street building after expanding through mergers with Wager Turner and Cohens.

It is selling the Georgian listed building in Bishop Auckland Market Place that was its home for more than 30 years.