Sir Chris and Cedric Robinson join walkers on the trip across the sands

Mountaineering elder statesman Sir Chris Bonington helped raise £2,000 for a Lake District charity in a walk across Morecambe Bay’s sands.

The Everest summiteer was joined by 120 walkers on Saturday in a trip led by the Queen’s Guide to the Sands Cedric Robinson.

Cash raised from walkers’ donations will go to the Friends of the Lake District, of which Sir Chris is vice-president.

The route across the bay involves navigating notoriously unpredictable shifting sands and dodging incoming tides.

The walkers completed a 13km (8-mile) journey from Arnside to Kents Bank.

Sir Chris said: “This was the first time I’ve done the walk and it was an amazing sight to see so many people walking for good causes.

“I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the walk and am proud to support the Friends in their fundraising efforts.

“It was also great to meet Cedric who has become a legendary figure over many years now.”

The Friends’ recent campaigns include working to extend the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks and campaigning against Government plans to sell off the nation’s forests.

Friends of the Lake District also represent the Campaign to Protect Rural England in Cumbria.