The family of a college lecturer who died on the slopes of Ben Nevis has raised funds for the mountain rescue team who searched for him.

West Herts College lecturer Ian Bell, 60, died on the Scottish mountain three years ago.

For the past two years his family have been raising money for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT) with “IanFest,” a music festival held in their family back garden in Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead.

This year on August 4, Ian’s wife Julia and her two sons, Oscar, 26, and Louie, 24, raised £1,200 at the festival which was attended by more than 150 people.

Julia said: “We chose to celebrate Ian with music, friends and family.

“There must have been more than 150 people in our back garden, and it really was an exceptional day enjoyed by so many.

“I thank everyone who performed, everyone who came along to share the music and good time and to the generosity of so many who came along and donated money, food, drink and joy.”

“We miss Ian and always will - That feeling is shared by so many.”

It was the second “IanFest” hosted by Ian’s family and last year, “IanFest”, raised more than £850.

Julia and her two sons erected gazebos, made a homemade bar, decorated the garden with bunting, ivy and fairy lights and carried the family piano outside.

Around 150,000 people walk the paths of Ben Nevis every year and the LMRT, a volunteer mountain rescue team, rely on fundraising to function.

The family have pledged that due to the success of their back garden festival they will be supporting LMRT with another “IanFest” next year.