A Manchester climber missing in Pakistan was warned by fellow climbers that conditions were too severe to attempt a climb on the peak he was to tackle.

Ben Cheek, 28, failed to return from a solo attempt of Shimshal Whitehorn in the Karakoram in the North of the country. He set off on 11 July.

His sister Laura Cheek told the BBC that Mr Cheek had attempted the 6,303m (20,679ft) mountain, known as Adver Sar locally once before, when he was beaten back by bad weather.

Relaxations of Pakistan’s permit system in recent years mean no guide or permit is needed to climb peaks lower than 6,500m, hence the solo expedition. Mr Cheek decided to try for Shimsal Whitehorn’s summit after he and three others in his expedition failed to conquer a nearby peak.

His family issued the following statement: “Hopes have been raised for Ben following the daring and successful rescue of two Italian mountaineers after the tragic death of their leader on Nanga Parbat.

“Ben is now eight days overdue on his return from the treacherous Shimshal Whitehorn mountain in the Hunza Valley region of northern Pakistan, not far from the scene of yesterday's rescue.

“There is very grave and mounting concern among his family and friends, and within the climbing fraternity for his wellbeing.”

Nanga Parbat is an 8,126m (26,660ft) peak at the western end of the Himalaya. The helicopter rescue of the Italian climbers took place yesterday.

Mr Cheek’s family has appealed to other climbers in the area to help with the search.

The climber is a research biologist and moved to Manchester a year ago. His family lives in the Scottish Borders.