A SELF-STYLED urban explorer only took up the activity after his brother died pursuing the controversial pasttime.

Along with two friends, the explorer, who does not wish to be identified but who goes by the name of “Horus”, gained access to Darlington Football Club’s Neasham Road ground.

The three toured the changing rooms, played football on the pitch and dressed up as the club mascot Darlo Panda.

Horus’ brother, Solomon, died falling from a roof while urban exploring abroad in 2010.

“I took it upon myself to carry on where he left off,” he said. “It can be a dangerous hobby. Accidents do happen, like with Solomon, but I don’t take any over the top risks and I’ve only ever suffered cuts and bruises.” Urban exploring involves gaining access to sites that are usually off limits to the public, photographing what they have seen and then sharing it with people on the internet.

Speaking about his visit to The Northern Echo Arena, he said: “It is not very often that you get to view sites that haven’t been stripped or vandalised.

The opportunity was there and we took it.

“It was something different, and it was good to see parts of the stadium that are normally off limits to the general public. The sites I’ve visited are usually unknown to the general public and are left to decay and are lost within time.

“Rather than read about such locations in a book and look at the pictures, I’d prefer to view them first hand.”

Along with his friends, he has toured a number of sites across the North-East.

The Liverpool supporter said: “To name only a few, in Middlesbrough I’ve done Newport Bridge, the Transporter Bridge and the Tuxedo Royale.

“In County Durham I’ve visited Ushaw College and in Darlington, I’ve explored the stadium.”

His hobby has also taken him farther afield. He lists his two favourite explores as Lincolnshire Cathedral and the Paris Catacombs.

To view a Horus’ tribute to his brother and the tour of the stadium visit northernecho.

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