RECORD breaking climber Vanessa O’Brien talked to students about challenge and resilience, in a visit to Ilkley Grammar School.

The British-American mountain climber, explorer, public speaker and former business executive - who holds the 2015 Guinness World Record holder for climbing the Seven Summits in 295 days and The Explorers Grand Slam in 11 months - visited the school on Friday (September 18).

She talked to the students about challenge and resilience, key qualities for both record breaking mountain climbing and doing their best at school. The school were also thrilled to receive a signed copy of the Guinness Book of records for the Library.

Assistant Headteacher, Chris Washington, said: "It’s fantastic that Ilkley Grammar school has been lucky enough to host Vanessa, when the opportunity came up it was simply too good to miss, particularly for Year 7 who are just starting their KS3 ‘mountain challenge’ in English.’

Vanessa, who was clearly impressed with the students later tweeted: "It was a top day at Ilkley Grammar School; such inspirational students."

Vanessa’s next challenge is to climb Chimborazo in Ecuador to bring awareness to Climate Change for 25zero.com.