THE Duchess of Cambridge's brother has revealed how the Lake District provided an escape for his secret mental health battle.

In a candid interview for a national newspaper, James Middleton disclosed his struggle with depression which led him to feel like 'a complete failure'.

The 31-year-old admitted it was the wild parts of the Lake District which prompted him to recognise he needed help.

He said: “So just over a year ago — in December 2017 — after enduring a progressive deterioration in my mental health over 12 months, I packed my dogs into my car and, telling no one where I was going, drove to a wild part of the Lake District I’ve loved since I was a child.

“There I swam in an icy Coniston Water, took solitary walks on snow-capped mountains and stayed alone in a remote cottage for a few days, eating from packets and trying to still the tumult in my mind.”

“In the days before, I’d finally confronted the fact that I couldn’t cope any longer, that I wasn’t all right; that I desperately needed help. And this recognition led to a sort of calm: I knew if I accepted help there would be hope. It was a tiny spark of light in the darkness.”

In the interview with the Daily Mail, Mr Middleton acknowledged how his privileged lifestyle did not exempt him from the torments of mental health.

He said: “During the day I’d drag myself up and go to work, then just stare with glazed eyes at my computer screen, willing the hours to tick by so I could drive home again.

“I couldn’t communicate, even with those I loved best: my family and close friends.”

“All colour and emotion had leached out of my world and everything was grey and monotone.

"I know I’m richly blessed and live a privileged life. But it did not make me immune to depression. It is tricky to describe the condition. It is not merely sadness. It is an illness, a cancer of the mind.”

Mr Middleton went on to say that he felt compelled to talk about his mental health battle due to the Heads Together campaign which is championed by brother-in-law Prince William, Prince Harry and sister Katherine.

The former businessman spoke positively about the lasting impact of his battle with depression.

He admitted: “I am pleased I went through debilitating depression because I now have the skills to fight it. I have a greater knowledge of my strengths and weaknesses and am a more confident person than I was before.”