Military Mountaineer by Major Bronco Lane, published by Hayloft Publishing, £25.95 hardback and £17.95 softback.

A RETIRED British Army Major whose love of climbing was inspired by the Lake District has written the first ever history of British military mountaineering.

Major Bronco Lane, who successfully climbed Everest with Brummie Stokes in 1976, wrote the book 'Military Mountaineering, a history of services mountaineering 1945-2000' after his retirement from active service.

Amongst the accounts of expeditions by climbing's "unsung heroes" are some military men with local connections, including Sir Chris Bonington.

Major Lane maintained links with the Lake District throughout his life, and was based near Kirkby Stephen when he acted as expeditions leader for Robert Swan OBE, the first person to walk to both South and North poles.

The book which has been reviewed by the Ministry of Defence and contains more than 50 photographs is published by Kirkby Stephen based company Hayloft Publishing in Hardback at £25.95 and Softback at £17.95.

For details contact Hayloft on 017683 42300.