Bear Grylls will also be made an honorary member of the team

A world-famous adventurer is due to become an honorary member of a mountain rescue team after opening its new base today.

Bear Grylls will unveil a plaque at the Porthmadog headquarters of the Aberglaslyn team this afternoon.

The team covers 700 sq km of north-west Wales, including the whole of the Llŷn Peninsula and the mountaineering and climbing areas of north-west Snowdonia.

Aberglaslyn MRT has spent a number of years raising funds for a permanent base while operating from a number of temporary sites. Having a permanent base will greatly improve the organisation and logistics of the team, it said, enabling a faster, more efficient and more focused response to calls for assistance.

Team chairman Dion Jones said: “Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team is pleased to announce the opening of its new rescue base near Porthmadog.

The team is delighted that internationally renowned adventurer and survival expert Bear Grylls has agreed to perform the opening ceremony for us.”

Mr Grylls is due to mark the event by unveiling a Welsh slate plaque and will then be appointed an honorary team member.

The new Aberglaslyn base. Photo: Aberglaslyn MRT

He said: “I am so proud to open this new mountain rescue base and at its beating heart is a team of highly motivated, well trained and determined men and women who risk their lives to help those in need in these mountains.

“For that I so admire them as they continue their incredible and very demanding work.”