ACTOR Clive Mantle, who returned home to Box on Tuesday after successfully trekking to Mount Everest base camp, has described his experience as one of the most amazing of his life.

Mr Mantle, who starred in ITV's Casualty and Holby City, told the Gazette in an exclusive interview he hoped it would make him a better person.

The group of 39, including fellow Holby City star George Irving and Marlborough jeweller David Dudley, raised £90,000 for Wiltshire charity Hope and Homes For Children.

Mr Mantle, 44, said he was exhausted but exhilarated.

"It was remarkable experience and one I was lucky to have. I don't know what I did to deserve it," he said.

He said he no qualms about mucking in with everyone else and learning to survive in the harshest conditions he has ever known.

"I think actors are more used to working in a team than most people," he said.

He escaped the altitude sickness many people suffered but did experience sleep apnoea.

"You end up waking yourself up in the middle of the night as you can't breath deeply enough because the air is so thin," he said.

"You're constantly waking yourself up struggling to breathe, but it's a case of waiting for 15 seconds or so, at minus 15 degrees, and taking a couple of good, deep breaths."

He said he was most proud of helping rescue a member of the group who dislocated his kneecap.

"A band of us did all we could to get him off the mountain safely and now he will live to fight another day," he said. "We were really proud of that."

Mr Mantle has had ambitions to get to Everest base camp since he was a child.

"My dad used to tell me about the conquering of Everest and it's something I've wanted to do since I was a boy," he said.

"I couldn't have made it to the top, but to get to 18,420ft is something I will always be proud of."

Mr Mantle was met at Heathrow on Tuesday by his wife Zoe.

"It was absolutely wonderful to see her," he said.

"Being out there in conditions like that, where people are living hand-to-mouth every day makes you feel very humble and grateful for the way we are mollycoddled here.

"I'm much more relaxed and happy since I came back and hopefully this will lead into a bonza New Year."

Mr Mantle, who left Holby City in March, is currently waiting to hear from producers after auditions for two TV series.

"I'm hoping it will be good news on both," he said.