VETERINARY nurse Samantha Lonsdale decided to aim high when she wanted to raise money for the Blue Cross animal charity.

Ms Lonsdale, 23, from Stanley, leapt from a plane 12,000ft above Peterlee Parachute Centre to raise the money, in her first tandem parachute jump.

She was sponsored by friends and family, including insurance group Elliott Garden, based in Houghton-le-Spring, where her mother, Allison, is technical director, and raised more than £400.

Ms Lonsdale said that fortunately the weather had been perfect on the day. She said: "It was a fantastic experience and I loved every minute of it."