EMOTIONAL claps and cheers accompanied the descent of 80 brave abseilers in Ashford. The group raised about £20,000 between them for Cancer Research UK as they descended 100ft down the side of Charter House in the town centre.

Danny McGuinness was one of them. The 65-year-old has not cleaned the upstairs windows at his home in Dymchurch Road, St Mary's Bay, for years because he is petrified of even stepping on the first rung of his ladder.

But he now has no excuses to offer wife Marie after whizzing down the building, even if he was a little pale.

Mr McGuinness works at the Shell filling station in New Romney and both colleagues and customers signed his sponsorship form and together with generous pledges from friends and family, he handed over a cheque for £1,000 to the charity at the weekend.

His daughter Lorraine died of cancer two years ago.

After some training from the experts, the fundraisers went up the ten floors to the top for a spectacular view of the district accompanied by Ashford mayoress Jane Lawrie, but not mayoral husband Les who is not a huge fan of heights.

Relieved grins and the collection of certificates came as feet touched the ground. Others taking part included intrepid Kentish Express receptionists Jemma Brown and Helen Bishop who between them raised more than £400.