A DAREDEVIL grandmother is preparing to complete a charity abseil despite undergoing a hip replacement operation recently.

Anne Johnson, 64, has only just started walking again after her operation five months ago, and is also recovering from an emergency appendectomy.

Mrs Johnson, from Hurworth, near Darlington, is a keen sportswoman and has decided to take part in an abseil at Darlington Memorial Hospital to raise funds for the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).

She said: "I used to climb at Darlington's Dolphin Centre and I abseiled before I had my hip operation. I am pretty athletic and don't like to be immobile, and, seeing as I've just recovered, I thought I would do it again as it is for a good cause.

"It's not very nice when you first look over the top, but once you're over it's fine. I'm looking forward to it."

Mrs Johnson and her husband, Brian, are both former teachers who worked at Hurworth and Eastbourne comprehensive schools.

More than 100 people have booked up for the abseil on Sunday. Anyone wanting to reserve a place can contact the RNIB on (01388) 529316.