Catch Three Peaks race this weekend

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Everest protesters 'intimidated' by Chinese

Five campaigners who protested at Everest base camp against the Chinese occupation of Tibet said they were subject to intimidation after being arrested.The five were detained on the northern, Tibetan side of Everest after they unfurled a banner which read: One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008.The protesters returned to the Nepal capital Kathmandu on Friday after being held by Chinese guards for two days.

Extreme fire risk puts access land off limits

A national park has closed access land to guard against moorland fires.In a repeat of last year’s closures, the Peak District park authority has banned walkers from access land as fire risk indexes have hit critical levels.Kinder Scout summit: out of bounds The park authority stresses that public rights of way – footpaths and bridleways – are unaffected, but the right to roam on moors, introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CroW Act), is suspended.

National park ban for bird man

A Merseyside man has been banned from every national park in the country.John Kinsley was also ordered not to enter any RSPB nature reserve by Llandudno magistrates after he was found guilty of disturbing rare birds of prey.The 36-year old, from Newton-le-Willows, near Warrington, caused a pair of goshawks to leave their nest and a clutch of three eggs failed to hatch.

Bryson will head rural-protection charity

A leading group which champions the protection of the English countryside is set to be led by an American.Bill Bryson, the witty journalist and author from Des Moines, Iowa, will head the Campaign to Protect Rural England – and he’s already started talking rubbish.Left: Bill Bryson at home in Norfolk ©David Rose Litter will be high on Anglophile Bill’s agenda: he has pledged to write to both likely Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron to urge hitting fly-tippers and litterbugs with hefty fines.

Cadair Idris fire 'was arson'

Experts say a fire which destroyed a large area of heath on Cadair Idris was probably started deliberately.Young trees and heathland were affected by the blaze in April, which swept across 30 hectares at the Tan y Gader Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Sheriff will visit second access-row estate

A sheriff will this month visit the estate at the centre of the latest attempt to block walkers’ rights.Euan Snowie wants to exclude the public from his entire 70-acre Boquhan Estate near Kippen, Stirlingshire.

No short cuts to Rowtor Rocks, please

Climbers in the Peak District are being warned not to upset locals at a bouldering site.A short cut to Rowtor Rocks near Birchover has been blocked by tree branches, presumably by local residents.

Police name Broad Stand fall victim

Police have named a man who fell to his death on Scafell on Friday.Andrew Peter Keely, of Ambleside, died after suffering serious head and chest injuries in the accident on Broad Stand, on the route between Scafell Pike and Scafell.The 59-year-old was airlifted by RAF Sea King helicopter after receiving attention from a team from Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.