Charity fundraiser Simon Spinks showed bear-faced cheek when he trekked 18,000ft up the world's tallest mountain.

The Brightonian stunned fellow climbers at Mount Everest Base Camp when he reached the landmark - only to hold a teddy bears' picnic.

The 52-year-old landscape worker completed the mammoth trek to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

But he decided to add his own unique twist to stage the first teddy bears' picnic on the iconic mountain.

Each member of the group strapped their teddies into their rucksacks for the climb, while Simon took along a children's tea set.

He said he was thrilled to have completed the challenge after he reached base camp on April 22.

He said: "The British Heart Foundation organised the trek, but I organised the teddy bears' picnic for a bit of fun.

"I had a look and couldn't find any mention of it being done before. It was a lighthearted way to introduce a serious subject."

The climb was of special significance to Simon, of Hanover Terrace, whose father Derek died after a massive heart attack eight years ago.

He said: "It took about seven days to get up there and about four days to get back.

There was a time on the last leg when it was getting pretty tough. It was thinking about my dad and the good cause I was walking for, that made me carry on.

"When I was puffing and panting and short of breath because of the altitude, it was the thought of the good I was doing that kept me going.

"I had a huge sense of relief and achievement when I reached base camp.

"It is only when you get to that sort of height you can appreciate how hostile it is."

Conditions were so tough on the mountain that two walkers had to be airlifted to safety, while another was forced to turn back. But once Simon and his fellow climbers reached base camp, they were met by hundreds of others, waiting for permission to carry on up to the peak.

Simon said: "It was like Piccadilly Circus up there, but everyone got involved once we got the teddy bears out.

"We did realise once we had set the picnic up that we were surrounded by Sherpas and burly mountain men who looked very confused. They soon got into it though."

Simon said he hopes to raise £18,000 for the charity - £1 for every foot climbed - and had collected £3,000 so far. He said: "I'm hoping once people realise I've actually done it the money will start coming in."