Brentwood Gazette Series assistant editor Keith Parker parachuted into Arnhem at the weekend to mark the 60th anniversary of the Allied landings - and raise some money for charity.

Thousands of Dutch people watched as he joined veterans in commemorating the start of the battle immortalised in the film A Bridge Too Far.

Keith leaped from a vintage Douglas Dakota, the type of aircraft used in the landings, codenamed Operation Market Garden, in 1944.

In doing so he raised several hundreds of pounds in sponsorship for Essex Air Ambulance.

The father of four, who is chairman of the local branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, is a former Territorial member of the 10th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment.

He said: "Parachuting from a Dakota, the same aircraft used by my father's generation, was an honour. You experience the whole spectrum of emotions when you parachute - from nervousness, to fear, to sheer terror, then relief (that the chute has opened) to delight, exhilaration and, ultimately, pure pleasure.

"And to raise money for Essex Air Ambulance at the same time is indeed a privilege."

An Air Ambulance spokesman said: "We are delighted Keith nominated us and the money he has raised will help to keep the county's emergency service helicopter flying into the future."

Gazette editor Roger Watkins said: "We were all thrilled that Keith made this historic jump and raised money for such a good cause. He took with him all our best wishes but we told him not to come running to us with a broken leg on Monday morning."

Keith had to apply for special medical clearance for his jump because he is over 50 years of age.

He said: "I had no trouble convincing the doctor that I'm fit to drop."

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