KENT film maker Peter Williams has co-produced a unique documentary about Sir Edmund Hillary to mark the 50th anniversary of his conquest of Mount Everest.

The 90-minute film, called Hillary on Everest, is a coup for Mr Williams, who lives at Boughton, near Canterbury. It is the only interview Sir Edmund has given for the occasion.

The intrepid explorer is now in his eighties but vividly recalls being the first to climb the world's highest mountain. In the programme, which goes out on Channel 4 at 6.30pm on Saturday, he remembers his feelings at the time of the triumph and the importance it has assumed in his life.

Mr Williams collaborated on the project with a friend, Tom Scott from New Zealand, who accompanied and filmed Sir Edmund around the world for more than a year.

The documentary charts the triumphs and tragedies of his life and his devotion to the Nepalese people, including his fund-raising for schools and hospitals.

But his greatest tragedy was the loss of his wife and daughter in a plane crash while they travelled to join him in the Himalayas where he was working on one of the charity projects.