A helicopter has been allowed to join the search for a missing climber in Pakistan despite the closure of the country's airspace.

Tom Ballard, who grew up in the shadow of Ben Nevis, was attempting to scale the world's ninth highest mountain Nanga Parbat with Italian climber Daniele Nardi when they lost contact with their base camp.

The 30-year-old is the son of famous climber Alison Hargreaves, who died near the peak of K2 in 1995.

An aerial search has now begun for Mr Ballard and Mr Nardi, despite the closure of Pakistan's airspace due to tensions with India.

However, local mountaineering instructor Muhammad Tahir warned that weather conditions were limiting the helicopter crew.

In a post on Facebook, he wrote: "A rescue mission is being undertaken at the moment to rescue Daniele Nardi and Tom Ballard who have disappeared on Nanga Parbat.

"Despite Pakistan's airspace being closed, the Pakistan Army has made an exception to allow this mission to take place."

He added: "Praying for the rapid rescue of Daniele and Tom."

Nanga Parbat is situated in the south-west of Pakistan. With a summit 8126m above sea level, the mountain is known for being a challenging and dangerous climb, earning it the nickname "killer mountain".

The climbers were ascending the notoriously difficult "Mummery Rib" when they went missing.

Mr Ballard is a highly experienced climber who is the first person ever to successfully solo climb all six major north faces of the Alps in one winter season.