HAMPSHIRE'S record-chasing mountaineer Rhys Jones has arrived at Everest base camp - just days after an avalanche.

The 19-year-old-from Bartley is biding to become the youngest Briton to conquer the world's tallest mountain.

Should he succeed, he will also become the youngest person to compete the seven summits challenge - climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents.

Speaking by satellite phone, perched on a ladder on top of a shanty to get a signal, Rhys called home to say the trip was progressing well.

He has just completed a two-week trek through the Himalayan foothills to base camp, 18,370ft on the southern side of Everest.

"It was the equivalent of walking from Southampton to London, except uphill", said his dad Alan, a former BBC Radio Solent presenter.

Rhys's arrival came a few days after an avalanche rolled down the mountain, although it did not reach the camp, stopping short at an ice wall higher up.

"In two or three weeks there will be tents in that area," said Alan.

"Fortunately it came down early."

Rhys will spend the next 60 days getting fully acclimatised and preparing for his assault on Everest whose summit stands at 29,035ft. Rhys hopes to reach it before his 20th birthday on May 16.

Base camp will bring some extra comforts, including a carpet in the main tent and perhaps even a mattress.

"Rhys said he felt great and everything was going fine. The team are really getting on well which is good because he had never met them before," said Alan.

Base camp

The expedition leaders will join Rhys at base camp.

The team - from Isle of Man, Scotland, Italy and Rhys representing England - will be led by Kenton Cool who has already summited Everest on two previous expeditions.

The deputy leader is a mountaineer from Patagonia and each climber will be supported on the mountain by a experienced Sherpa.

Meanwhile, back home the community has been rallying around to lend its support in a fundraising concert. Two performances of music, dance and sketches by young people of were held at Copythorne Parish Hall.

Rhys's trip was looking in doubt until Lymington based chemicals company INEOS stepped in to cover of costs of the £30,000 expedition.

He already had support from Impatex Computer Systems Ltd, Jason Jones Hairdressing, Paultons Park, Snow & Rock and Hampshire county Council.

Rhys is also hoping to raise in £29,035 in sponsorship, representing the height of Everest, for Southampton charity Wessex Heartbeat.