SIR Ranulph Fiennes has been forced to abandon his effort to climb the highest peak in South America, after suffering from severe back pain.

The 72-year-old had to be helicoptered from the 6,962-metre Aconcagua just a few hours from the summit on Monday (January 16).

Sir Ranulph, from Exmoor, was climbing the mountain as part of his attempt to become the first person to cross both the polar ice caps and climb the seven highest mountains on each continent – all to raise money for Marie Curie.

Speaking from Mendoza, in Argentina, Sir Ranulph said: “I was within just a few hours of the summit but problems with my back meant I couldn’t continue.

"I’m very frustrated, but I’ve learnt that at my age you can’t ignore any pain.

"I’m going to come home to the UK and get my back looked at before I do anything else.”

Sir Ranulph had climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica in December as part of his current record attempt.

The challenge brings together a lifetime of exploration for Sir Ranulph, who crossed both polar ice caps in 1982, climbed Mount Everest at the third attempt in 2009, Mount Kilimanjaro in 2004 and Mount Elbrus in 2016.

To complete his Global Reach Challenge and claim a world first, he still needs to successfully climb Aconcagua, Carstenz in Indonesia and Denali in North America.