A group of local climbers have continued their annual pilgrimage to Ben Nevis, celebrating Dudley peacemaker Bert Bissell.

Ten years ago former Dudley North MP, Ian Austin met former Mayors Steve Waltho and Dave Tyler to discuss the possibility of rekindling an historic link between Dudley and Fort William.

For more than 50 years legendary Dudley peacemaker, Bert Bissell took groups of youngsters linked to his Vicar Street Bible Class to Scotland to climb the UK's highest peak.

He climbed the Ben an unbelievable 107 times and on VJ Day August 15th in 1945 he commenced building a huge peace cairn on its summit which is today the highest war memorial in Britain with Dudley proudly inscribed on its side.

Bert was awarded the MBE, the World Methodist Peace Prize, was made a Freeman of both Lochaber and Dudley, had peace messages delivered to the highest point on every continent - even the moon via the Apollo programme.

Bert died in 1998 at the age of 96 and is buried beneath his beloved mountain in Glen Nevis cemetery.

In 2014 the first group of the new era went to Fort William to rekindle the link. The 11th consecutive group have just successfully returned, led by Alderman Steve Waltho who is chair of the Bert Bissell Memorial Society which was formed in 2017 to honour the great man.

This year also registered another first for the Society as Steven Bissell wanted to find out about his great great Uncle and joined the group and was fittingly first to summit.

Steve said: "We paid our respects at Bert's graveside culminating in a prayer by Bert's right hand man Astley Blake and Vice-Chair Shaz Saleem laid a wreath.

“It was a poignant moment to see Steve Bissell reunited with his great great uncle.

"We then moved on to Fort William and were warmly welcomed to the church by our Scottish friends for a brief celebration of Bert's life followed by refreshments.

“We also discussed 2025 which we hope will be a big event in the name of world peace. It will be the 100th anniversary of Bert's Bible Class and the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

"We already have Dudley College, the Gentlemen Songsters and other VIP individuals interested. However it will require significant funding and a steering group to manage such an event.”

Anyone who is individually interested can get in touch with Steve for more information.