BRITAIN’S rock climbers had a satisfying weekend of fear and physical discomfort, they have announced.

Climbers have returned to work refreshed after indulging their passion for painstaking safety preparations, extreme physical exertion and psychological stress.

Accountant Tom Logan said: “Last week was really hectic, so the first thing I wanted to do on Saturday was get up at 6am and drive miles so I could haul myself up a vertical surface.

“I’m not sure what I enjoy most about climbing. Checking ropes, nervously looking for things to grab onto, feeling the tendons in your fingers stretch to breaking point – it’s all good.

“When you reach the top you get an incredible sense of still being alive. And your climbing companions will share that feeling, unless you’ve made some terrible mistake and they’re marooned hundreds of feet below on a precipice.”

Office manager Nikki Hollis said: “Rock climbing is the best exercise there is because you’re completely knackered just from putting all your equipment in the car.

“I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who thinks the gym would be more fun if the floor could suddenly disappear leaving a massive, potentially deadly drop covered in sharp hard things.

“There’s a great sense of camaraderie too, because most people don’t have a hobby that’s something most people would only do if trying to escape from a prisoner of war camp.”