Brave-soled Essex County Standard reporter David Grocott trampled over burning coals to raise cash for charity.

He was raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre in an event organized by sufferer and former cricketer David Thomas.

The reporter joined 30 intrepid firewalkers at Colchester Rugby Club to bare their soles and walk on fire which reached 1,236F.

Afterwards, he said: "It was possibly the stupidest thing I've ever done. Believe it or not it didn't hurt. I never liked the hairs on my feet anyway!"

The firewalk came after a charity fund raising lunch held in west London for the MSRC.

Organiser and former Surrey bowler David Thomas said the lunch was attended by 150 people paying £90 a plate. The evening raised £16,000 in total.

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