A FILM-MAKER who tackled one of Antarctica’s most impressive peaks has been given a major international honour at an adventure films ‘Oscars’.

Former QEGS student Alastair Lee, from Blacko, was presented with the International Alliance for Mountain Film (IAMF) Grand Prix, in a ceremony at the Trento Film Festival in Italy.

Not content with living in the shadow of Pendle Hill, Alastair regularly embarks on expeditions with leading climber Leo Houlding.

Judges at the adventure films summit awarded him the prize based on his body of work since 2001.

His efforts include The Asgard Project, a visual account of Houlding’s ascent of the eponymous mountain on Baffin Island.

And at the other end of the scale, Alastair joined his team as they made the first assault on Cerro Autana, in the Amazon, which was later released as Autana.

His Psyche 2 release, especially The Prophet, recounting an attempt on the east face of the Yosemite’s El Cap, was also lauded.

Alastair, who established his studio Posing Productions in 2001, said: “It’s a huge honour to receive such a prestigious award. When I started film making I really never imagined I'd have anything like this success.

“I only wanted to avoid getting a 'proper job' so to have my work recognised like this is really a special moment for me.

“I'd like to dedicate the award to all of the climbers I've had the pleasure of working with over the past decade.”

He is currently in post-production for The Last Great Climb, covering the team’s expedition to conquer the north-east face of Ulvetanna, the 2,930 metre summit in Queen Maud Land, where temperatures plunged to -35 degrees.

Months of preparation went into the challenge, backed by snow-wear giants Berghaus, before the team mastered the peak.