ONCE little Chloe Birkman had made up her mind to climb the highest peak in England and Wales nothing could stop her.

Snowdon - standing at 3,560ft - was used by Sir Edmund Hillary as the ideal spot for his Everest training sessions.

So it was just a trifle ambitious for intrepid Chloe Birkman - who scaled the dizzy heights at the age of five.

Chloe, a pupil at Vernon Primary School, said: "It was great fun and I really liked the view from the top."

She was helped along by her eight-year-old sister Dawn - a veteran who has now climbed the mountain twice - and both were determined to conquer the impressive peak together.

Their secret energy food was... jellybabies.

Their proud mum, Monica, said: "Chloe enjoyed it so much, she was as high as a kite.

"She demanded that we go up all the way, against her parents' judgement, but the weather got better and better and it was fantastic.

"We were down by 7.30pm and there wasn't a murmur of complaint along the way."

They climbed up the Pyg Track and came back down alongside the Mountain Railway path.

The family belongs to the Chamois National Mountaineering club and regularly stay in Snowdonia, in North West Wales, and this time were with 50 other families.

Monica, who is married to husband Dave, said: "Chloe has been in mountainous areas with us ever since she was born, but it's the first time she has climbed one.

"Usually kids do little peaks and build-up to Snowdon, but not Chloe."

The family-of-four climbed the mountain on their own, but news about their ascent had got round other members of the club.

Monica said: "When we got back one lad dashed out to see if Chloe had managed it and everyone was gobsmacked when we told them.

"Then we relaxed afterwards with fish and chips.

"It's good news, it won't be too long now before they are carrying the heavy bags and Dave and I can take it easy."