He is used to climbing church towers, but this week a vicar will face a challenge which takes him to new heights when he takes part in a skydive.

The Rev Paul Cubitt and his son, Oliver, 16, will each take part in an tandem skydive at Beccles Airfield on Friday.

Mr Cubitt said: 'Our church warden, Sue Shillam, had the idea and wrote on my Facebook wall. By the time I had seen it, my son had said that he would do it as well so I couldn't say no really.

'I was stitched up – I had no choice but to say I was up for it. I am going to wear my dog collar when I jump.'

All donations will help pay for repair work to Blofield Church.

Earlier in the year, English Heritage granted �99,000 to the church to pay for work, but when it was inspected, more problems were found. The church now needs to raise around �40,000.

Mr Cubitt, who lives with his wife, Clare, in Oakwood, Blofield, anticipates the repair work will begin next spring.

The father-of-two said: 'Part of my nature is to give anything a go.

'I go up and down church towers on a regular basis and I don't particularly like looking over the edge.

'I am sure that after the jump, I will think it was brilliant . Oli is really looking forward to it. '

Oliver, 16, who collects his GCSE results from Thorpe St Andrew School on Thursday, hopes to study A-levels at The Norwich School in September.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/paul-cubitt