Torquay-based freelance photographer Chris Woodman decided to celebrate his 60th birthday in style by jumping out of an aeroplane for charity.

The 12,000ft skydive was an attempt to raise funds for the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust, a national charity taking disabled and disadvantaged children on holidays to their residential care home at Lourdes in the French Pyrenees.

And Chris has so far raised £700 for the charity with more donations still to come from his sponsorship.

Chris says he enjoyed the jump – but was briefly interrupted with a call from the Torquay Herald Express, with an enquiry about a photograph he had recently submitted.

Chris said: “My phone was in the car with my wife and she had to tell the paper that I was unable to come to the phone because I’d just thrown myself out of an aeroplane.

“We free-fell for 8,000ft at 180mph. It was quite blowy and noisy. Then all of a sudden you’re in a parachute ride.

“The contrast between the rush and the quietness of the sedate drop was breathtaking. I’d definitely do it again.”