AN INTERNATIONALLY renowned mountaineer has lent his support to this year's Great Cumbrian Litter Pick.

Penrith born Leo Houlding, known for epic mountain ascents across the world from Antartica, China, South America and Africa, is backing this year's campaign.

This year's event will take place on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21.

Last year, over 1,000 people took part in the event with nearly 50 litter picks across the county including groups in Whitehaven, Sedbergh, Carlisle and Millom.

Nearly 300 bags of rubbish of were collected.

Leo, who's climbed peaks like Everest, said: "I'm a climber and explorer and resident of the Lake District.

"One of my pet hates when you are out in the wilderness is seeing rubbish blowing in the wind or sitting in a hedge.

"You see it all over the world and I’m sad to say, you see it right here on our own doorstep in the Lakes.

“Something I try to teach my kids is that every time we go out we try to pick up the rubbish that we see and come home with more rubbish than we set out with.

"Please do get involved in The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick.

"Come out, let’s get all that rubbish out of our countryside and leave the Lakes cleaner than we found it.”

Leo is also an experienced base jumper he is at the forefront of Para-Alpinism, climbing up mountains then jumping off them with a parachute.

The event is run by the Friends of the Lake District and is aimed at cleaning up the recent effects of storms Ciara and Dennis which battered the county earlier this month.

One community group or school will win £500 when signing up.

To get involved in this year's event ring 01539 720788 or email ruth-kirk@fld.org.uk.

Alternatively go online to friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk