A regional daily journalist took part in a 330 foot mass abseil for charity.

Elise Brewerton, who works for The News, Portsmouth, was among 23 people to abseil down the city’s Spinnaker Tower in aid of Brain Tumour Research last Saturday.

Elise has previously covered a number of similar events for The News at the landmark tower, and admitted to being “pretty blasé” before her descent.

However, in a piece for the newspaper, she admitted feat set in when she had her photo taken on the glass floor of the tower’s viewing deck.

She wrote: “My tummy started doing flips. And, believe me, I was anything but blasé as I hoicked myself out onto the tiny platform, 330ft up – I was absolutely terrified. ‘Just pull up on the rope, you’ll be fine’, my instructor said. ‘Now, smile!’ and he flashed a camera in my face and unhooked whatever it was that was keeping me hanging. My entire body was shaking.

“At first my brain and my hands weren’t talking to each other. It took a few very deep breaths before I remembered to pull the rope to start my descent.

“A fair amount of rum language spurted out before I calmed down and took in the spectacular views of the Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays and Old Portsmouth.

“But every time I looked down the ground seemed just as far away as it had at the top. It wasn’t so much the height that was scary, it was the fear the rope would snap.”

Elise managed her descent in four minutes.

She added: “Making it back on terre firma I gave the instructor a bear hug – happy to be alive. Well done to all those people who volunteer – you are so brave. I’d never do it again.”

To donate to Brain Tumour Research, click here.