Gail Townsend, who has been in charge of cubs at St Mary's Church for five years, already experienced abseiling as part of the scout movement's centenary celebrations last year.

Nevertheless, when Woodkirk Church was looking for ways to recoup £45,000 spent the church ceiling and floor and to find a further £40,000 to modernise toilets and add a disabled toilet in the much-used parish centre, Gail, of Woollin Crescent, West Ardsley, bravely volunteered to give abseiling another go.

At first she was going to abseil down the church's 13th century tower, but it was feared that the fastening equipment might damage the stonework.

So, on Friday she once again geared up and abseiled the 90ft down rocks at Ilkley.

Gail said: "The first time I looked over and wasn't sure if I would be able to do it, so I went first and was able to do it again. The second time I knew what to expect and enjoyed it.

"We were slightly worried about the weather as on Thursday it was raining and was windy so we thought we would be blown all over the place, but on Friday it was a wonderful evening.

"There were seven of us who did it and we have raised more than £500 so far and are still counting."

Gail was cheered on by husband David and friends and even Woodkirk's vicar, Amanda Barraclough, arrived to show her support.

She said: "I would definitely do it again and would even go higher because you don't look at the height, you just look at the wall and where your feet are going. It was absolutely brilliant."