A Warrington soldier who usually guards and protects the Queen in London has taken a break from his rigorous day job in a bid to break a world record.

Trooper Ethan Graham, from Great Sankey, is part of the world famous Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and together with seven of his colleagues he has climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest by ascending thousands of steps in the troop’s accommodation block in the capital.

The iconic sky rise Peninsular Towers in Hyde Park was the focus for the 8,848m climb - the height of Mount Everest - as they attempted to make the quickest ascent of the mountain via stairs.

The nine-hour relay record was smashed on Thursday, May 13 as the team recorded a new time of six hours, 57 minutes and 17 seconds.

Once the relay event had been completed, some of the soldiers also took on their own personal challenges so that each person climbed the height of Everest – 135 ascents of the tower block – which took around 26 hours in total and finished on Friday morning.

Ethan, who is 19 and a former pupil at Penketh High School, said: “The relay event was tough but enjoyable.

“We’d done lots of training running and walking up stairs and doing leg exercises but our day job always came first, so it’s been a busy few months.

“We kept our energy levels up with sweets and biscuits and energy drinks and as a team, we did it at the pace of the slowest person.

“We have all got achy legs but it’s worth it.”

The cavalry already held an Everest-related world record as they were awarded a Guinness World Record for playing the highest game of rugby, which they achieved on the real mountain in Asia a few years ago.

The soldiers normally guard the Queen and the royal palaces 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Horse Guards Parade and take part in state ceremonial and public duties in London.

A spokesperson for the record breaking team said: “The latest challenge proves that Covid-19 travel restrictions can’t quash ambitions.

“With the right mental attitude and the support of your friends, no mountain is too great to climb.”

The challenge raised money for injured former service personnel and their families in need.