CANOEIST Shaun Baker has promised to visit the region to kayak down the country's mightiest waterfall.

Last week, the 38-year-old canoed 50ft down the Skjalfandafjot River waterfall, in Iceland, and now he is planning to take on High Force, in Teesdale, County Durham, which is regarded by fellow thrill-seekers as the ultimate challenge.

Despite safety concerns from the police, the Londoner is determined to complete the challenge.

In 1991, two students were stopped from free-falling over High Force by Durham Police, who put a block on their attempt because of fears over their safety.

Officers threatened Richard Fish and Paul Kuiken with arrest for a breach of the peace.

Police say that, legally, they cannot stop Mr Baker. They have, however, advised him not to take on the challenge.

Inspector Dave Allaway, of Barnard Castle police, said that the stunt could lead to a serious accident.

He said: "We have major concerns about the safety of the public. We would urge Mr Baker not to take on a stunt of this kind.

"Not only are we worried about his safety, we are concerned about the safety of any members of the public who may wish to watch the stunt.

"This is the first I have heard of Mr Baker's intentions, but we obviously hope that he has second thoughts about this."

High Force is owned by Lord Barnard, and is part of Raby Estates. A spokesman for Raby Estates said that they had not, as yet, spoken to anyone about canoeing down the waterfall.

Mr Baker, who is sponsored by Red Bull, has said the challenge will be the biggest freefall he has ever made.

Despite added concerns from the National Rivers Authority, which has described the stunt as "extremely hazardous", Mr Baker said he was determined to complete the challenge.

He said: "The one thing that would stop me would be the fact that someone had already completed the fall, but to my knowledge it hasn't as yet been done.

"High Force is a drop I have always wanted to take on, and provided no one has already taken it on, it will be my next challenge."