THIRTY people took part in an abseil at Sedgefield St Edmund's Church, County Durham, on Saturday, to raise funds for the Friends of St Edmund's and the Butterwick Hospice.

With the Army youth team from Catterick, North Yorkshire, in charge, the north wall of the church tower - the tallest in the Durham Diocese - was used for the event.

Brian Mutch, the treasurer of the friends, said he was delighted with the response, which saw people from various parts of the North-East taking part.

Each abseiler had to raise at least £50 in sponsorship. It is expected that the final total will be well into four figures.