Teesside Hospice is on the look-out for brave souls to abseil from one of Middlesbrough's most distinctive landmarks to raise funds for its vital services.

And to help jump start the promotion for the charity's two events next month, Middlesbrough match commentators Alastair Brownlee and Bernie Slaven were checking out the height of the Transporter Bridge.

Alastair has kindly offered to meet the £75 sponsorship required for Bernie to take part in the abseil event next month, but there are still some places left for other adventurous people to join in the action.

The event, which is the first of its kind for the hospice, will help raise money to enable it to continue delivering palliative care free to the Teesside community.

Margaret Kent, head of fundraising at the hospice, said: "All that is required is that people raise a minimum of £75 in sponsorship and then they can abseil for free without having to pay any additional costs. The event is already proving to be popular with our supporters so we are urging interested people to get in touch as soon as possible."

For further information or to book a place for either Sunday, May 9 or 16, contact Margaret Kent on (01642) 355887.