A new mountain safety campaign has been launched in memory of a journalist who died in the Highland hills earlier this year.

Clive Dennier sparked a major search when he failed to return from a weekend walking expedition.

He had been talking to colleagues about heading out in the days before he set off but he did not inform anyone of where he was going.

When he failed to turn up at his office in Grantown On Spey on Monday, March 25, the police were informed.

In the following weeks a massive search was mounted. Eventually his car was traced near Loch Hourn in the Knoydart area of the West Highlands.

Despite extensive searches for the 50-year-old, no trace was found of him until two months later, when his body was found in a river leading into Loch Hourn.

He had a gash on his head and it appeared he had tried to cross a fast-flowing river, slipped, banged his head and died.

At a launch yesterday, a simple form was unveiled as a key aid in ensuring the safety of people heading out to the hills.

Once completed, there are instructions on how to fold this document into a normal envelope size and the person completing the form should then leave it with a responsible person to whom it is addressed.

The pro forma is named "Clive", which stands for Climbers Location & Identification Verification Envelope.

At the Clive Campaign launch at Glenmore Lodge, near Aviemore Heather Morning of the Mountaineering Council said: "I would encourage anyone, but particularly those who head out into the hills alone, to use the 'Clive form' and complete one each time they head out.

"No-one thinks that they will have problems in the hills, but sometimes the unexpected happens. Taking a few minutes to complete the "Clive form" could prove to be the most ­important thing you have ever done. A simple note could also save our valuable emergency services time and a huge amount of money".

Dave Whalley, Former ­Mountain Rescue Team Leader, said: "I often go on the hills alone and enjoy the solitude this brings. We never expect to have a problem but unfortunately this can happen. Please leave a note and when you complete the 'Clive' it allows your family and friends to know where you are going."

Clive's sister Judy Needham helped launch the campaign. She said: "Clive was a very good friend as well as a brother and we as a family are all missing him greatly.

"I really, really hope that those venturing out into the hills choose to fill out a Clive form and leave with someone responsible advising what route they are taking and when they are due back."