Legendary mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington joined a protest in an effort to help save Carlisle’s only rock climbing wall.

A petition has also been set up by the lead instructor at the Sands Centre wall, Pete Gunn.

It is in response to initial plans outlined by Carlisle City Council to redevelop the Sands Centre, which do not currently include the climbing wall.

It is just one part of the proposed £19m project.

So far the petition has accumulated more than 1,300 signatures to save the wall, which is the only one of its kind in north Cumbria. There is Eden Rock, which is a bouldering centre in Carlisle, however this facility is not like-for-like, campaigners argue.

Talking of the potential closure of the wall, Sir Chris said: “I was told about this some time ago. I feel it is incredibly important to keep the wall open. I had the privelege of helping to open it back in 1985 and I have seen it develop over the years to what it is now.

“I think it is doing so much good for so many people. I think what I find exciting and pleasing is when I see the youngsters are getting out of getting onto a climbing wall.

“It does them a world of good. It’s particularly important at a time when getting youngsters exercised and interested is so important.”

Sir Chris added: Climbing is one of the most popular of all of the fast-expanding sports around. Therefore to close this wall - and it is the only climbing wall of this calibre in Carlisle - seems absolutely tragic.”

Mr Gunn, who runs eight rock climbing sessions a week at the Sands Centre, said: “It draws in people to the city.

“We have just been speaking to some people there from Dumfries. They travel down from there.

“If this wall goes, they will have to trek to Glasgow or Edinburgh. I have children coming in from Workington, Whitehaven coming over to use our wall here and people from Keswick. There’s a wall in Keswick, but people are still coming here because they know it is a good facility.”

A council spokeswoman, said: “We welcome responses from existing and potential new users of the site and have met with the organiser of the climbing protest.

“The discussion was positive and we appreciate hearing first-hand their concerns. The door is open for further meetings to discuss options for the climbing wall. This could include looking at relocating it to another venue.”

To sign the petition, visit www.change.org/p/carlisle-council-save-carlisle-climbing-wall.