A POSTCARD from France to England ended up scaling to Mount Everest base camp on its way to its intended receiver.

Matt Ashdown saw the postcard on the pavement as he was preparing to fly out to Nepal to scale the world’s highest peak earlier this month.

The 23-year-old, from Haywards Heath, only remembered he had it with him when he got to Everest Base Camp, 17,600 ft above sea level.

He said: “I picked it up and was going to put it in a post box but forgot and it ended up in the things I took on my trip.

“So I took it all the way up to Everest Base Camp and cracked it out for a couple of photos.

“I don't know if it ever got delivered initially or if the postman just dropped it.”

The postcard’s journey, which appears to have begun in France, was supposed to conclude in Tenterden, in Kent.

The sender, named as Andrew, was writing to ‘Grandma’ while off on his travels.

The Argus contacted ‘Grandma’, whose real name is Jessie Chandler, and she confirmed one of her grandsons was called Andrew.

Asked what Andrew would think about the postcard’s remarkable journey, the 93-year-old said: “I think he would laugh himself silly.

“I am really looking forward to receiving it.”

Mr Ashdown, who works as a trainee patent attorney, said he plans to post it to Mrs Chandler with a note to explain.

He said: “I’m glad to be able to return the post card to her.

“I was just going to pop it in the postbox when I got back but thought it would be nice to explain to her that it’s taken the long way home.”

Mrs Chandler added: “It’s rather nice isn’t it. It’s something to talk about for years.”

Mr Ashdown was raising money for Help For Heroes along with 18 others who made it to Base Camp.

To donate to the Armed Forces charity, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk.