A FUNERAL director overcame his fear of heights to take part in a charity abseil in Darlington yesterday.

Bryan Shepherd and his staff, from Darlington, joined 40 others who abseiled 150ft from the roof at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Those taking the plunge, including a 72-year-old woman, were sponsored to raise money for the British Red Cross.

Mr Shepherd, who dressed in his funeral director's clothes for the descent, said: "It took me a good ten minutes to get over the top. I've never been so frightened in all my life, it was just the thought of stepping into nothing. But it was wonderful when I was coming down. I enjoyed it and it's all for a good cause."

Despite his struggle with his fear, Mr Shepherd said he enjoyed the descent so much that he would consider doing it again.

The rest of Mr Shepherd's staff also accepted the challenge, dressed in their work clothes, and reckon to have raised about £400 in sponsorship money between them.

Organisers are hoping that the abseil will have raised a total of more that £1,000 for the Red Cross