The youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest has enjoyed his first slap-up meal since reaching the summit.

Rob Gauntlett, 19, from Petworth, reached the top of the world's highest mountain on Wednesday last week with friend James Hooper.

The pair returned to base camp to recover earlier this week before a 24-hour car journey to Katmandu where they dined at Rum Doodle restaurant, which is famed for feeding Everest climbers.

Rob's mother Nicky said: "They are still on such a high. We are just looking forward to getting them home."

She said Rob was looking forward to having a bath in Katmandu as he had not washed properly for eight weeks while he was on the mountain.

Rob and James hope to fly home from Katmandu on Sunday.

Rob celebrated his 19th birthday at Mount Everest's base camp less than a month ago.

The gap-year students, who were pupils at Christ's Hospital, near Horsham, climbed the mountain in part to raise money for Cancer Research UK. For more details or to make a donation, visit www.everest-2006.com