MOUNTAINEER Sir Chris Bonington will share exhilarating stories from a lifetime spent conquering the seemingly impossible at a popular adventure festival this spring.

Britain’s best-known climber is just one of the inspirational speakers who will appear at Durham Adventure Festival when it returns to the Gala Theatre from April 26 to 28.

Aimed at encouraging people to explore the outdoors and embark on their own adventures, the festival features compelling talks, an action-packed film programme and opportunities for people of all ages to try new activities.

The full programme and line-up will be revealed later this month but tickets for Sir Chris’ Life and Times lecture, at 5.30pm on April 27, are on sale now and are expected to sell-out fast.

Now in his eighties, Sir Chris is as passionate about mountaineering today as he was when he first discovered the sport in 1951 at the age of 16.

His legendary climbing CV places him in a class of his own and has resulted in a wealth of adventures to share with festival-goers in Durham. From making the first British ascent of the North Wall of Eiger and the South West Face of Everest, to reaching the summit of the world’s highest mountain himself in 1985 – his fearless spirit knows no bounds.

He is still active in the mountains and has written 17 books, fronted numerous television programmes and lectured to the public and corporate audiences all over the world. He received a knighthood in 1996 for services to mountaineering and, in 2015, he received the prestigious Piolet d'Or lifetime achievement award, which recognises mountaineers who have inspired generations of others.

He said: "For me, adventure festivals are like ‘tribal gatherings’ where people with a common love of mountains and the outdoors can come together and share plans and gain inspiration.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to being with you in Durham, I’ll be sharing with the audience the story of my life in the mountains - the highs and lows, and the extraordinary characters I have met along the way.”

Durham Adventure Festival is presented in partnership with Kendal Mountain Festival and is part of the 2019 Year of Culture campaign.

The inaugural event in 2018 attracted thousands of people to County Durham and boosted the local economy. This year, is shaping up to be even more exciting with popular elements such as the basecamp and climbing wall set to be bigger and better.

Tickets to see Sir Chris Bonington cost £20 and are available to buy online at durhamadventurefestival.co.uk or via the Gala Box Office on 03000-266600.