A PROLIFIC Wainwright-bagger has clinched a top job recording weather on daily treks up one of the Lake District's most popular and dangerous mountains.

Graham Uney was selected from 100 applicants for the role of fell top assessor on the 950 metre-high Helvellyn, England's third highest mountain.

A strong field of hopefuls with experience in British Antarctic Survey, the Scottish Avalanche Service, Romanian cave and UK mountain rescue had answered the call to take on the role.

A seven-day shift is equivalent to almost reaching the summit of Everest.

Running from December to Easter, the role sees a team of two working alternate weeks for Weatherline.

The phone and online service helps protect 15 million visitors and locals from conditions that can change rapidly and fatally on the fells.

It was a pull Graham, an outdoor instructor and operator in Snowdonia, was unable to resist.

“I have lived in the Lakes, where I ran my own company, Wild Ridge Adventure," he said. "The prospect of returning to stay for my weekly shift is great. There’s nowhere quite like it.”

Graham started hill walking when he was eight, was rock climbing at 12 and by 18 had completed all the Wainwrights. He has done them all again, four times.

Other achievements include all the English and Welsh summits over 2,000ft, extensive winter experience, instructing in mountain skills and being a member of rescue teams.

He joins long-standing Lakes’ fell top assessor, Ambleside-based Jon Bennett, to brave driving rain, snow drifts and wind chill temperatures that can plummet to minus 16C.

Tens of thousands use the service and when it was threatened with closure three years ago, a raft of sponsors came to the rescue. Money-making ventures include offering a day with the assessors on eBay.

Liz Moss, the head of the Lake District National Park Authority's commercial services, said Weatherline was almost beyond value.

“We have some of the world’s most spectacular mountains and keeping those venturing on them as safe as possible is paramount," she said. “The calibre of the 100 applicants was incredibly high and we are delighted that Graham is joining us, bringing with him a wealth of experience and knowledge.”

Assessors’ reports are combined with Met Office mountain forecasts to give the fullest possible picture.

Weatherline is available on 0844 846 2444 or online at www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk.