Accident-prone action man Alan Hinkes is surely tempting fate with his latest escapade - a stunt that will involve walking under at least one ladder.

The Northallerton-based mountaineer has agreed to clean the windows of a leading Newcastle adventure travel agency, despite putting his back out bending down to pick up a shoe just a few weeks ago.

Next Tuesday's event will be used as part of Alan's long road back to fitness which should culminate in an assault on some of Africa's toughest terrain next August.

He agreed to clean the window's of Activities Abroad, part of the LD Mountain Centre building in Dean Street, after being approached by their managing director Alistair McLean.

Mr McLean said: "We complained to the LD Mountain Centre that our windows were filthy, but discovered that window cleaners were not to keen to take them on.

"We jokingly suggested that as a mountain equipment retailer they must know a mountain climber who could do it.

"Little did we know they would take us seriously and contact the most famous one in Britain."

Alan said he's now recovering from the back injury sustained just days before he was due to abseil down Newcastle Civic Centre for charity.

He added: "This window clean should be a bit of a wheeze. I don't think it will do me any harm because I am recovering my strength now."

Once he fully recovers he will be back in training for the African Triple Challenge 2001 which will see Alan, plus 160 volunteers, take on some of the continent's toughest terrain