COMIC BOOK superheroes Batman and Robin were among some of the brave participants in Britian's most unusual abseil this weekend.

The UK's only submarine abseil took place at Chatham's Historic Dockyard on Saturday.

The 22 daredevils who took part had to abseil down the side of the Cold War submarine HMS Ocelot. It is the second time the event has taken place, but unlike last year, everyone who took part went from the very top of the submarine tower, around 65ft high. It was also the first time that fund-raisers were invited to take part in fancy dress

Around £3,000 was raised for The Kent and Medway Walking Bus Project, which provides road safety training for primary school children, and The Sunlight Centre in Gillingham which provides a range of community services.

Top fund-raiser was Gary Douglas, 43, from Parkwood, Maidstone, who raised more than £800.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The worst part was going over the edge at the top and having to have that faith to lean back.

"I have abseiled before but it was a long time ago and never on anything so unusual. A lot of the sponsorship money came from my colleagues at Aylesford Newsprint and the company pledged £200.

Batman and Robin, aka Paul Margerum and Lea Goddard from Chatham, raised almost £500 between them while Grant McLaughlin, from Chatham, raised £200 dressed as Wolverine from X-Men.

Event promoter Simon Dolby, chairman of Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group, said: "I am delighted at the success of the event and am very grateful for the support of the Historic Dockyard and all the participants who took part in the abseil. The funds raised will enable both Walking Bus and the Sunlight Centre to provide valuable services to the community. I would also like to thank our sponsors Specsavers Opticians."