A regional newspaper editor is to take part in a daring charity event which will see him launch himself from the top of an eight-storey building.

Western Gazette editor Martin Heal has volunteered to abseil down the side of Yeovil Hospital to help raise funds for the leading North East Somerset NHS Trust Hospital.

The newspaper is leading the Flying Colours campaign to raise £1m to transform the inside of the hospital, and Martin will be joined by colleague Nikki Donnelly for the event on Sunday, June 12.

Martin will be representing the Western Gazette as he abseils from the roof of the building, while advertising director Nikki will be representing both the Western Gazette and Yeovil's Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Martin said: "I am trying not to think about it. I am not keen on heights, I have never abseiled before and I am unfit.

"I am also 60 this year so I guess I am going 'over the top' in more ways than one.

"Nikki is younger, prettier and fitter than me and seems to be relishing the challenge. When I told my wife what I was doing, she told me to make sure I had paid my insurance premium.

"I suppose it is right that I should do something significant for the appeal, after all I have been urging our readers to get involved and 'dig deep' for the past four months."