AN EAST Lancashire walker will hike his way to the top when he becomes one of only 3,000 people to have climbed all 284 peaks above 3,000ft in Scotland, known as Munros.

John Ormerod, of Hoghton, will complete the epic journey when he conquers Ben Lomond on Saturday.

The 1,000 mile journey has not been a walk in the park for the former Walton-le-Dale School pupil. It has taken him 14 years to complete.

His cousin David Wharton will complete the Munros - first listed by Sir Hugh T Munro - at the same time, but it has taken him even longer. He started in 1966.

Although John, 43, has suffered blisters and a broken ankle he is not yet ready hang his hiking boots up yet. He will go back and help others to become an elite "Munro bagger".

John, of Poulton Crescent, started the bone-aching weekend trips in 1988 when he climbed 4, 409ft Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. He has never felt like giving up, even after falling off a mountain.

"The second time I went out in March, 1990, the weather was bad. It was what we call a white-out, it was blowing a blizzard and you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

"I was near the summit of Bidean nam Bian, the highest peak in Argyle, when I fell off and dropped 400 ft.

"I fell at 3pm and I had to wait nine hours before 26 mountain rescuers took me to Fort William hospital at midnight.

"When I recovered I went straight back to the same mountain. I had to take my wife because she wanted to see where I fell.

"It will be great sense of accomplishment to finish but it will also be nice to finish at the same time as my cousin, as he got me interested in the first place."