A SPONSORED bungee jump has raised £1,500 for charities in Ferryhill.

The jump, organised jointly by the Ferryhill 2000 group and Ferryhill Town Council, was so successful it could become an annual event.

A total of 34 jumps were made from a crane erected in Ferryhill Market Place for the event, designed to give individuals, groups and organisations in the town the chance to raise money for good causes.

Charities which benefited included cancer, breast cancer and meningitis research. The biggest single beneficiary was Debra, a charity that helps people with a rare genetic skin condition.

There were also fundraising stalls, including Ferryhill Town Youth and Ferryhill 2000, which raised money for the children's heart fund at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Jamie Corrigan, executive officer at the town council, praised new projects assistant Katie Simpson, 16, for her work on the event.

Mr Corrigan took the plunge for charity and, while at the top of the crane, took a series of aerial photographs of Ferryhill.

He said: "I did a full 360 degree turn around Ferryhill, starting from the town hall and by the time I'd done that I was all harnessed up. The man said he was going to shout one-two-three-bungee, but he got to two and I just went for it. I was worried I might freeze if I waited any longer because I'm genuinely scared of heights."

The A4-sized pictures taken by Mr Corrigan are for sale, priced £3 each, from the town hall, with money raised going to charity. Call (01740) 652157 for details.