A FORMER Territorial Army soldier from Bradley has jumped from an aeroplane for the first time - at the age of 83.

Derek Wrathall did a tandem skydive at Cark Airfield in Cumbria for ABF, the Soldier's Charity, and has so far raised more than £1,000.

He said: "I was slightly apprehensive beforehand about a leap into the unknown but I needn't have worried - I'd have no problem about doing it again. It helps that you're jumping with someone who knows exactly what they're doing. My initial target was £300, so to get over £1,000 is fantastic - I'd like to thank everybody who contributed."

Derek, of Yew Tree Close, was in the Territorial Army for 37 years. He was county surveyor for North Yorkshire County Council's highways department from 1979-93 and was a Secretary of State appointee to the Yorkshire Dales National Park from 1994-98.

The skydive was organised by the charity's north-west branch based at Fulwood Barracks in Preston, where Derek finished his TA career. Anyone who wishes to donate can do so at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-WrathallforABFthesoldierscharity