MOUNTAINEER Rhys Jones can continue in his quest to become the youngest Briton to conquer Mount Everest after a Hampshire company agreed to cover the £30,000 cost of his trip.

Lyndhurst-based INEOS has agreed to sponsor the 19-year-old's expedition setting off this Saturday which, if successful, would also see him set a world record as the youngest person to complete the Seven Summits Challenge - climbing the seven continents' highest peaks.

The remarkable Bartley teenager, pictured above, aims to spend his 20th birthday on May 16 at Everest's summit.

"I am extremely grateful to INEOS," said Rhys. "I am really looking forward to flying the INEOS flag on Everest because of its links with Hampshire and the New Forest.

"Having their backing makes the final leg of this record attempt possible and it will be all the sweeter if I can bring home the world record."

Founded in 1998 by Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS is the world's third-largest chemical company following last year's acquisition of Innovene from BP. The company employs 15,600, and has an annual turnover of $33 billion, manufacturing a broad range of products from plastics and polymers to medical propellants.

Mr Ratcliffe said he was inspired to support the former Barton Peveril College student after meeting with him.

"I invited Rhys to the company headquarters in Lyndhurst and was extremely impressed by his achievements and his motivation to succeed," said Mr Ratcliffe.

"I am pleased that INEOS is able to help make the Mount Everest expedition a reality."

Rhys already holds two mountaineering records. At the age of 17 he became the youngest Briton to reach the summit of Mount McKinley in North America, and two years later he became the youngest person to climb Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

Rhys is hoping his attempt on Everest in Napal's Himalayas will raise £29,035 - Everest's height in feet - for Southampton-based charity Wessex Heartbeat.

Rhys is also supported by Impatex Computer Systems Ltd, Jason Jones Hairdressing, Paultons Park, Snow + Rock and Hampshire County Council.