More than £1,000 has been collected for the mountain rescue team that recovered the body of a much missed Watford lecturer who died after a hiking accident in Scotland.

Father of two, Ian Bell, who taught at West Herts College, died following a fall on Ben Nevis in August and was found a day later by the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.

The 60-year-old was survived by wife Julia and sons Oscar, 23, and Louie, 21, who have been raising money for the charity.

A collection took place at the Rex cinema in Berkhamsted following a screening of ‘Everest’ last week to support the Fort William based rescuers James Hannaway, Rex director, paid tribute to Mr Bell at the beginning of the screenings.

He said: "Ian was a friend of mine, a friend of the Rex and a lovely man who took a final walk on Ben Nevis and was found by the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.

"His widow Julia and friends collected at the end of this film. I don’t usually use the audience for charity collections but on this occasion it is an exception."

Julia thanked all those who contributed.

She said: "The generosity from the Rex audience was very heart warming.

"The £1,000 will help the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team continue with their work and help the next person who may need rescuing."

Julia and family extended their thanks to West Herts College students and staff who paid tribute to Mr Bell following his death in August, sending flowers, cards, donations to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and attending his funeral.