THREE beauty therapy students have helped raise money for charity by abseiling from Alnwick Castle.

Tina Handleigh, Janine Moon and Natalie Lamb, all students at Gateshead College, abseiled down the Northumberland castle in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Their tutor, Sue Todd, came up with the idea as a joke, but 16-year-old Janine was keen to do it and persuaded the others to join in. The trio raised £300 through their efforts.

Janine said: "I am terrified of heights, but my dad and sister have both been abseiling before and I wanted to try it. I loved it and plan to abseil off the Tyne Bridge next."

The girls chose to support Cancer Research UK after recognising that most people are affected by cancer at some point in their lives.

They also took part in a treatment day at Gateshead College, pampering staff, students and members of the public, which raised a further £280 for the charity.

Suzanne Burn, Cancer Research UK community fundraiser, said: "We are very grateful to the students for overcoming their fear to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

"We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations from the public to fund the vital work of our 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses."