A WOMAN who had open heart surgery has completed a sponsored parachute jump to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Lynn Morton, an office manager at the Pease Way Medical Centre, Newton Aycliffe, did the tandem jump at Shotton Colliery Airfield, on Saturday morning.

She said: "I had heart surgery three years ago, but for about 15 years now I have always wanted to jump out of a plane - I can't explain why.

"On the day I was fine until just before I was about to jump, and I still shake when I think about it now.

"There weren't any special requirements because of my condition, but I did have to have a special medical form signed because I'm over 40.

"The doctors at the surgery put the bulk of the sponsorship money in, they gave me £200, but said they'd make it £400 if I jumped without a parachute!

"I'm still collecting the rest, but I have raised about £600, which will all go towards the British Heart Foundation because my husband has offered to pay for the cost of the jump."