Boatmaster Jon Bennett of Windermere Lake Cruises is retiring from his second 'dream job', concluding 16 years of climbing up Helvellyn.

Mr Bennett, from Ambleside, is one of three people who share the job of climbing Helvellyn every day to check conditions from December to Easter Monday.

His role as a fell top assessor for the Lake District National Park Authority sees him take photos and supply reports to add to the Met Office weather forecast, ensuring the safety of those exploring the Lake District fells.

Mr Bennett said: "I’ve been lucky enough to have two dream jobs for all these years.

"To the best of my knowledge I’m the longest serving fell top assessor having summited Helvellyn over 750 times for the Lake District National Park Authority.

"But the mountain seems to be getting that little bit steeper!

"I will miss it but this is the right time to stop."

Mr Bennett's two jobs equip him with different perspectives.

He said: “I love the Lake District and with these two jobs I’m either on a boat looking up at the Lakeland fells or on the fells looking down at the lakes!"

The Mail: Jon Bennett is also a boatmaster at Windermere Lake CruisesJon Bennett is also a boatmaster at Windermere Lake Cruises (Image: Windermere Lake Cruises)

The 61-year-old joined Windermere Lake Cruises after leaving a managerial position at a leading Lake District hotel in 2008.

Mr Bennett, who will be remaining a boatmaster, said: "It just sounded a lovely way to earn a living - surrounded by the lovely scenery of England’s longest natural lake.

"I love it!

"It’s great working with the public, showing and telling them all about Windermere.

"We get such lovely feedback from passengers which makes it very rewarding."

Mr Bennett's last shift as a fell top assessor takes place today (Thursday, March 28), just days before the fell top assessing season officially ends on Monday, April 1.

Reflecting on his role, he said: "It has been an incredible role to have.

"When people realise who we are, they come over, shake my hand, and say thanks for the service we provide.

"It has been a hard decision to make this my final season but I will still head out onto the hills on a regular basis.

"I met a man climbing Scafell Pike on his 80th Birthday and thought what an incredible way to mark that milestone!

"It stuck in my head and now that is my plan too!"