RENOWNED scientist Professor Sir John Holman is recovering well following a 130-foot fall in the Lake District.

Sir John, 65, was walking in Sour Milk Ghyll, Borrowdale, at the end of March, when he fell and had to be rescued by mountain rescue volunteers, the RAF and the air ambulance.

A chemistry professor at the University of York and the founding director of the National Science Learning Centre, he suffered major head, chest and back injuries in the fall, but is now recovering at home, where he is said to be doing well.

He also works as a special advisor in education for the Wellcome Trust, where a spokeswoman said Sir John had been allowed home on April 2, just days after the fall - which happened when he was walking the Coast To Coast route.

She said: "The neurologist has predicted that he will be fine. He's recovering at home and has responded to some emails. I imagine he's quite keen to get back to his life. Apparently, the trauma unit at James Cook Hospital were fantastic, as were the volunteers and helicopter teams who rescued him.”