One of the high spots of a West Midlands town is due to be pulled down shortly – news which prompted an irresistible challenge for press photographer Paul Kyte.

He braved the heights of the Good Hope Hospital chimney to secure unrivalled views of Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding area and capture them to film.

The Sutton Coldfield Observer snapper had to climb a ladder to the top of the 150ft landmark, which will be pulled down to make way for a new £15.5m treatment centre.

He said: “It was very scary going up the chimney but I was okay until it started swaying.

“The steeplejack reassured me though that it was meant to – it was designed to sway or else it would snap in half.

“He also told me the chimney is higher than anything trainee steeplejacks use to train – so that made me feel quite brave!”

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