Life as a reporter can have its up and downs - and this was certainly the case for Lynwen Davison when she took part in a charity abseil.

The Derby Evening Telegraph reporter had volunteered to scale the 189ft tower of Derby Cathedral to raise money for the Cathedral Plus appeal and Derby Mountain Rescue.

But shortly before she took the plunge, she was having a few second thoughts.

Lynwen said: "As the moment approached, two worries were vying for supremacy in my mind.

"One was the prospect of a painful death if the rope broke.

"The other was the likelihood of a snapshot appearing in the Evening Telegraph of my none-too-petite derriere as I descended the tower.

"On balance, I was much more anxious about the latter."

Before climbing the 189 steps to the cathedral roof, Lynwen put on her helmet and safety harness.

Once in position, she leant back and began to lower herself down, risking a few glances downwards as she made her way back to solid ground.

Lynwen said: "I passed the belfry, then the clock and risked another look - to find it really was the most wonderful view.

"It felt both too soon and not soon enough when I reached the bottom."

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