AN 80-year-old will cross one more thing off his 'bucket list' as he jumps out of an aeroplane next week.

Raymond Tyreman, of Hartlepool, had to get a doctor's certificate to prove he was in robust enough health to undertake a tandem skydive at Shotton Airfield on October 1.

Mr Tyreman is doing the skydive in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance.

"When I did my national service in 1954 I put my name down to go into the Paratroopers," he said.

"But I ended up being a radio operator. My granddaughter did a skydive a couple of months ago and so I thought, this is on the bucket list, I have to do it."

He said most people had been supportive of the idea, and almost everyone in his sheltered accommodation has been generous with donations.

He said: "Only one of them told me she thought I was an idiot and she wouldn't be sponsoring me."

To sponsor Mr Tyreman visit justgiving.com/RayTyreman/