TEIGNMOUTH gardener 'storming' Norman Maudsley has trekked across some of the highest terrain in the world.

But he admits his latest epic, following the Inca trail in Peru, was the toughest yet. So hard, in fact, that two of the group had to pull out on the second day.

The 63-year-old hiked about 40 miles in four days, reaching an altitude of more than 14,000 feet.

'All my training around Teignmouth paid off – there is life in the old dog yet. I didn't suffer any altitude problems, although lots in my group were popping tablets to keep it at bay, and the legs and knees stood up well.

'It may not sound a great distance, but considering the steep terrain and the altitude, it was really hard,' said Mr Maudsley, who is now safely back at his Shute Hill Crescent home.

His efforts also gave a boost to two local causes.

Sponsorship should bring in about £2,000 for the Alice Cross Centre, and £1,000 towards new ropes for the St James' Church bells. He is a keen bell-ringer.

Mr Maudsley had to endure big contrasts in temperature – from 30°C heat to icy winds straight off the snowy Andes, which caused body temperatures to plunge.

One of the highlights was a visit to Machu Picchu, the Inca city hidden for so long until it was uncovered by a native farmer working his land.

'The whole experience was fantastic. It was the trip of a lifetime, and something that will always stay with me.

Mr Maudsley is now planning something even more spectacular next year.

He is keeping the destination under wraps until it has been finalised, but gave a couple of clues – it is in Nepal and at an even higher altitude.