A BRITISH police officer who led more than 100 trekkers to safety during terrible weather conditions that claimed at least 39 lives in Nepal has said he never set out to be a hero.

Sergeant Paul Sherridan, 49, found himself in white-out conditions in the Annapurna range last week and was helping a small party back to safety when he realised dozens of walkers were following him.

“I never wanted to be the hero,” he told a press conference in Sheffield. “I’m just pleased to be home.”

All the hikers believed to have been stranded are now safe