A SUPER-FIT coastguard successfully conquered the equivalent of Mount Everest when he ran up and down Roseberry Topping a staggering 14 times.

Paul Waugh decided to tackle the distinctive Cleveland landmark to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) and the neo-natal unit at James Cook University Hospital.

The 42-year-old, from Skelton, in east Cleveland, managed to complete the task in nine hours after starting in the early hours yesterday morning to avoid the midday temperatures.

He said: "It was a fantastic day but very hard work. A lot of people were actually sponsoring me as I ran up and down the hill. I couldn't believe the support people were offering me. Now I have got this one out of my system I will have to start looking for my next challenge."

In previous years, Mr Waugh has tackled the Great North Run 16 times, the London Marathon 13 times and numerous local events to raise cash for charity.