CIVILIANS proved just as fearless as soldiers when it came to abseiling down a 100ft church tower yesterday afternoon.

Dozens of people joined the 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment of the Territorial Army to descend Holy Trinity Church tower in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough.

Regimental Sergeant Major Mark Anderson said the abseil, which raised more than £200 for the church's Trinity Centre and the Army Benevolent Fund, went with a swing despite appalling weather conditions.

"It was very windy and obviously much windier on the tower than on the ground.

"But I was quite surprised because I didn't think any civvies at all would want to do it and in fact there was someone coming down the rope all the time."

The youngest to take part was 11-year-old Sam Moore, from Redcar.