HARLOW'S James Butler will be looking to swing his way into the record books as he prepares to take part in the highest game of cricket in history on Mount Everest.

The Harlow cricket club captain is one of 40 people – including umpires, groundsmen and journalists - to make the world record attempt on Gorak Shep, at 5,165 metres the highest plateau on earth, where they will play an official Twenty20 match in mid-April.

Butler has undertaken a rigorous training regime in order to prepare for the expedition, which has included taking part in the London Triathlon, while he will have to escape the clutches of altitude sickness if he is to reach the heady heights and successfully complete the game.

“It's something special, I've never though about doing anything like it before, but it is incredibly motivating,” said Butler, who will face an eight-day trek just to reach the plateau.

“You can't really do much to counter the altitude sickness. We'll go up and then descend to get used to the conditions. It's going to be like breathing through a straw.”

The local cricketer has contributed £1500 to take part in the once-in-a-lifetime experience and he is hoping to raise that sum again in sponsorship for the Lord's Taverners.

Anyone who wants to sponsor James or to find out more about the record attempt, visit his blog at www.justgiving.com/jamesoneverest.