A Clockhouse pensioner has scaled the gruelling Snowdon Horseshoe Mountain range despite only recovering from prostate cancer surgery last year.

Last weekend Peter Ford completed the climb in just seven hours and even did a handstand at the top to celebrate his recovery.

The 66-year-old also finished an astonishing three hours ahead of his fellow climbers, some of whom were 25 years younger than him.

Mr Ford initially hoped to raise £1,500 for The Prostate Cancer Charity but since finishing his climb one hour quicker than he expected he has soared up to £1,600.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2008 and underwent major surgery last February.

The Whitethorn Avenue resident said: "After taking most of last year to recuperate I now feel more like a teenager again.

"I'm really proud of my climb, both for the physical challenge and also to show how well people can recover from prostate cancer surgery.

"I decided to do the handstand just to demonstrate just how quickly you can recover if you put your mind to it."

Mr Ford prepared for the climb for a year by doing regular hill walks, yoga and by climbing the sleep flight of steps at a nearby train station.

Claire Walsh, of the The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "Peter is a great inspiration to anyone facing a diagnosis of prostate cancer and we appreciate all of his efforts to raise awareness of the disease and funds for the charity."

Prostate cancer is the most commonform of the disease diagnosed in men in the UK - every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed.

To sponsor Mr Ford visit justgiving.com/handstand