A WOULD-BE mayor is hoping to put right the mistake of an ancestor when he jumps from the top of Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge.

Dave Roberts is set to take the leap of faith more than 100 years after his great-great uncle, Daniel McCallister, died when he hit the River Tees after climbing the bridge for a sixpence bet.

Mr Roberts, an independent mayoral candidate for Middlesbrough, will attach himself to a bungee rope when he takes the 160ft leap - and the only money he will collect will be for charity.

The 50-year-old said: “I have known about someone in our family history who was said to be the first person who jumped off the Transporter, but I didn’t know much else.

“But after a lot of research I managed to find out I am Daniel’s great-great nephew. He was a bit of a black sheep in the family and nobody really talked about him.

“So a century later, to exorcise the ghost of my ancestor, I decided I would have a go as well. But I wanted to do it as a charity event, and make sure I’m on a bungee rope.”

Mr Roberts, who lives in Marton, has managed to track down Mr McAllister’s death certificate which listed him as a general labourer of Washington Street in Middlesbrough.

The cause of death on May 4, 1913, was listed as: “Shock and suffocation from drowning through jumping from the Transporter Bridge in a spirit of bravado whilst under the influence of drink.”

The former television executive and Middlesbrough FC commentator is asking people to stump up £2.50 - roughly what a sixpence would be worth today - to support him and raise money for the Middlesbrough FC Foundation.

Donations can be made by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveRRoberts