Around 80 people dangled nine floors to the foot of a city centre landmark at the weekend to raise money for two worthy causes.

The sun came out on Saturday for the thrill-seekers taking part in an annual abseil of Bradford Central Library.

Participants raised a minimum £35 towards the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, which is raising money for children’s cancer enterprise Little Heroes Cancer Trust and Bradford District Senior Power.

There was a few recognisable faces among those making the long drop, including the chief executive of Bradford Council, Tony Reeves, and Councillor David Ward.

Welsh rugby fan Mr Reeves sported a St Helens rugby shirt in order to swell his fundraising kitty to about £150, having accepted a £50 sponsorship dare from the Council’s strategic director for Services to Children and Young People, Kath Tunstall.

It was an assured descent by Mr Reeves, who afterwards said: “It’s good fun and the view of the city is a great one.”

The event’s most senior participant was 74-year-old Arthur James, of Queensbury, who was taking on the challenge for the second year. Mr James, whose next quest is the Bradford Half Marathon in October, said: “Events like this brighten up your life.”

At the opposite end of the age range, second youngest participant Ryan Sagar, ten, of Ravenscliffe, said he loved taking part.

Little Heroes’ founder Colin Nesbitt abseiled in a sumo wrestler costume.

He said: “The turn out has been fantastic, not just with participants but the crowd who came to support them.”

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor John Godward, who watched on, said it was wonderful so many people took part.