Tributes pour in for Ben Nevis climber

Tributes were today paid to a 32-year-old man from Shropshire who died in a fall as he climbed the UK's highest mountain.

Paul Guest, of Kinlet, near Cleobury Mortimer, died in the accident on Ben Nevis on Sunday. His parents Peter and Christine have described him as being 'extremely loyal and generous'.

And they said that as a family they were 'immensely proud' of his achievements.

Mr Guest went to Lacon Childe School in Cleobury Mortimer and headteacher Allan Gilhooley said: "Staff who knew Paul remember him as a popular young man with a good sense of humour.

"He was always interested in sport and took part in many varied activities.

"He had a sense of adventure from an early age and played a full part in the life of the school.

"He also made a major contribution to the development of volleyball in the community and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him."

Friend Carl Brookes, 43, of Clee Hill, who knew Mr Guest since he was aged 14, said: "He used to play volleyball for us at Cleobury Mortimer Volleyball Club. We are all pretty devastated and shocked. He will be really missed."

He added: "The one thing we are taking comfort from is the fact he went doing something he really did love."

Kinlet WI had helped with sponsorship for an expedition by Mr Guest to the Himalayas in 2009.

WI branch president Maggie Lee said: "We had him give a talk on his climbing experiences which he did extremely well and had a great passion for doing it.

"He came across as a charming man, eloquent in his passion for climbing."

Mildred Dolphin, of Kinlet, who worked for the Guest family for 16 years, said: "It is very sad for the family. They are very well known and respected."