A SUCCESSFUL project to create mountain-worthy wheelchairs has taken two disabled people up Ethiopia's tallest peak, thanks to a West Cumbrian man.

David Collinson, originally of Beckermet but now living in Winchester, founded the Wild Wheelchairs Project with motivational speaker and amputee, Alex Lewis.

Mr Lewis now advises universities on the design of prosthetics and mobility aid. He used the handcycle on the climb as did a disabled Ethiopian girl, Emebet Ale Dires.

The solar powered handcycle, helped them conquer Ethiopia's tallest peak, Ras Dashen.

The summit of Ras Dashen stands at a towering 4500 metres and it was made even more difficult by the conditions.

Mr Collinson said: "Because the seasons are getting mixed up, we went thinking it was the dry season but it was still raining."

"It had washed the trail away so we ended up going around."

The handcycle designed for the trek made it up most of the trail, however it involved a scramble up the rest of the way.

Emebet impressed the group when she "hauled" herself up the final stretch on just her hands.

Proud mother, Margaret Collinson had been in communication with the team, she said: "It was very moving at the top."

David added: "It was absolutely fantastic to get to the top."

The Wild Wheelchairs Project's primary goal is to supply facilities for wheelchair manufacture in the country.

He said: There are a lot of people with polio there" however they have no provision for disabled people, "They just shuffle around on the ground."

Factories funded by the project are already up and running and another big project is in the works.

David said: "We are planning next year to cross the in a hand cycle."