WINCHESTER'S mayor and a group of primary school teachers have each completed a nerve-wracking 100-metre charity abseil.

Cllr Jane Rutter's challenge has raised more than £2,000 and counting in donations for the mayor' charities - Combat Stress, Music for All, Home Start, Street Reach, and Winchester Youth Counselling.

Cllr Rutter joined the mayors of Southampton - Cllr Cathie McEwing, Eastleigh's Cllr Des Scott and Gosport's Cllr Lynn Hook, as well as civic heads of Havant, East Hampshire and Portsmouth, for the abseil at the Emirates Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays.

Cllr Rutter had also completed a wingwalk two days previously in aid of her chosen charities.

The abseiling challenge was previously postponed due to poor weather conditions, with it being too windy to continue.

Cllr Rutter said: "It was great fun. I really enjoyed it. I was busy being instructed and made to feel completely at ease by the instructors. I looked around a bit but made sure not to look down.

"I had only done one practice abseil at Winchester fire station, down their practice tower. That made me feel more confident.

"I was also helped by the fact I had just done a wing-walk. After doing that it felt easy. I did the two-daredevil escapades as part of one fundraising challenge."

Of her wingwalk, Cllr Rutter added: "It was exhilarating. I did it with my friend Phryrn Dickens who is a trustee of Street Reach. It was amazing and quite windy as they fly at 130 miles an hour. I'm not sure I'd do it again though.

"I did all sorts of poses including a Wonder Woman punch. It was a real challenge and an adrenaline rush as well."

The mayor is continuing to collect sponsorship until May 17.

The four daredevils from Kings Worthy Primary School took part in their abseiling challenge, also at Spinnaker Tower, for children's charity The Joe Glover Trust and managed to raise more than £1,500.

One of the teachers, Katie Clark, said: "It was absolutely terrifying stepping over the edge. The staff at the tower who helped us down were amazing and definitely made us feel safe.

"Once we got going all of us loved it and would happily do it again."