A Bradford vicar took a huge leap of faith by abseiling 100ft down his church’s spire to raise money towards its £175,000 costs.

The Reverend Canon Stephen Treasure stepped tentatively out of the tower window at All Saints Church, Little Horton, before lowering himself down towards crowds of his cheering parishioners.

After completing the feat he said: “It is scary when you climb onto the ledge and know there is nothing but a rope between you and a rapid descent.

“But once you are on your way down, it is huge fun!”

He was joined by members of his congregation, an architect and builders working on the All Saints church spire.

An appeal was launched to save the spire, which has been badly damaged by bad weather.

Architect Mike Overton, who has been put in charge of the project, also abseiled to add to the fundraising effort.

Mr Overton, who has Multiple Sclerosis, was raising money to split between the All Saints spire appeal the MS therapy centre in Rawdon and the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust.