Woman from North conquers Everest

Hannah Shields has become the first woman from the North to successfully climb Everest.

The mountaineer from Kilrea, Co Derry, made the peak by the arduous north face shortly before midnight and has returned safely back down the most dangerous part of the mountain.

Friend and fellow runner Dermot Connolly said she was exhausted but ecstatic.

"It was a tremendous achievement," he said. "She thought long and hard about going back.

"She was so near yet so far last time, it was a big decision to go back but the determination was there."

Ms Shiels was forced back less than 300m from the summit in 2004 after she felt the onset of frostbite.