Sir Ranulph Fiennes loses way on Shropshire school visit

He has climbed Mount Everest, ventured to the North and South Poles, and circumnavigated the globe – yet when it came to finding his way into a Shropshire school, Sir Ranulph Fiennes was stumped.

The famed explorer was unable to get into Ellesmere College after navigating himself to the wrong entrance. But the 68-year-old fell back on the resourcefulness and expertise which has seen him through so many adventures – and scaled the main gates.

Sir Ranulph, who has a child at the college, was guest of honour at a dinner and dance hosted by the school on Saturday. He clambered over the gates to ensure he was on time for the event and his after dinner speech.

Nick Pettingale, director of development at the school and host of the event, said: "Sir Ranulph had no mobile phone signal and turned up at the wrong entrance, only to find it locked.

"However, being the type of man that he is, having climbed Everest three times and run seven marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days, he simply climbed the main gates and found his way to the dinner, much to his and our amusement."