A SCHOOLBOY has climbed England’s highest mountain in a bid to help keep children safe.

Seven-year-old Ben Robertson’s ascent of Scafell Pike in the Lake District raised £750 to buy every primary school in County Durham and Darlington a book about personal safety.

The book, produced by Durham Agency Against Crime and titled The Strange Day Out – Let’s Talk About Strangers, features community safety dogs Jet and Ben as the visit the seaside and encounter situations and people that pose a potential risk to their safety.

Ben’s mother, Sue, of Durham, said: “We are delighted Ben’s sponsored climb raised as much money as it did and fulfilled his wish that every school across County Durham and Darlington will be able to have a copy of the book.

“His fundraising efforts aren’t over though, as he’s planning to swim 64 lengths of a local pool, which equates to one mile.”

For more information, email: enquiries@daac.org.uk