A CHAMPION skydiver has scaled new heights after completing the highest solo parachute landing ever made by a bilateral amputee.

Former paratrooper Alistair Hodgson, 48, has accomplished more than 7,000 skydives in his daredevil career.

Mr Hodgson has just returned from Nepal where he successfully completed the highest solo skydive at Syangboche, near Mount Everest.

The spectacular landing was at 12,400 feet after jumping from an altitude of 20,400 feet.

“It was awe inspiring, being surrounded by so many immense, magnificent peaks of the Himalayas in freefall and flying a parachute gave a sense of how truly small we are,” he said.

“Catching a glimpse of my wife Pixie flying her parachute amidst snow-capped mountains was an image I’ll never forget and also quite a relief, she makes a smashing cup of tea.

“The whole expedition would not have been possible without United Parachute Technologies, thanks to them for their policy of inclusion in extreme environment skydiving and their confidence that I could complete the task.”

“What’s next for us? Well I think it’s going to be difficult to top this one but there are always new adventures and fun to be had.”

After losing both legs in an explosion while serving in Northern Ireland in 1992, Mr Hodgson, of Hale, near Milnthorpe, underwent numerous operations and months of rehabilitation before building up his fitness with a gruelling programme of outdoor pursuits.

His passion and love for skydiving has grown over the years.

With his wife, Mr Hodgson became a national freestyle skydiving champion six times and has also won three medals at the sport’s world championships.

At the end of February the paratrooper performed a memorable leap in Egypt which saw him land just yards from the Pyramids.