Global warming is radically changing the face of Mount Everest, the sons of the men who first reached its summit 54 years ago said in an interview published yesterday.

The sons of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay told British newspaper The Independent that theirfathers would no longer recognise the world's highest mountain, saying the base camp is now 40 metres (132 feet) lower than it was 53 years ago.

"Climate change is happening. Thisisafact," Hillary'sson Peter said.

"Base camp used to sit at 5,320 metres. This year it was at 5,280 metres because the ice is melting from the top and side. Base camp is sinking each year," said Peter Hillary, who himself has twice reached Everest's summit.

"For Sherpas living on Mount Everest this is something they can see every day but they can't do anything about it on their own," he added.