A NORTH-EAST woman was part of a group of 52 women who jumped into the history books by making the first Red Cross while skydiving.

The women, all wearing red jumpsuits, formed the free-falling cross, which broke the UK formation skydiving record, to mark this year's Red Cross Appeal Week.

They came together from three aircraft 10,000ft above Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire, on Sunday.

The team, dubbed the Brit Chicks, linked hands and feet to form the Red Cross logo.

They also raised £25,000 for the charity through sponsorship.

Poor weather delayed the jump for a week. Audrey Rowe, from Houghton-le-Spring, east Dur-ham, who took part, said: "It is quite a difficult formation, so it was a real challenge. We are all really thrilled."

The women spent four months preparing for the jump.