BRAVE mayor David Easton was first in the queue to try out bungee-jumping - without the rope!

The daredevil Councillor and County Councillor used the skydive to raise money for Stacksteads Riverside Park Group and said afterwards: "Some people said it should have been called suicide rather than diving!"

SCAD -- Suspended Catchment Air Device -- diving was the star attraction at Stacksteads summer fair on the recreation ground behind the Rose 'n' Bowl.

It was provided by Bacup company Skyborne UK Ltd, who were the pioneers of commercial bungee and set up the UK bungee club in 1989.

The diver is lifted in a cage up to 150ft and, after a countdown, released, freefalling 90ft into a large net framed by airtanks to trap the diver so they don't bounce.

David, who became one of the Valley's youngest Mayors ten years ago, said: "The worst bit was being hoisted up attacked to the cage upside down.

"You got a cracking view of Stacksteads, albeit for a very short period of time. When I began falling I just shut my eyes and started praying, there wasn't time for my life to flash in front of my eyes."

The taxi driver has served on Rossendale Council for 19 years and last week was elected to serve as a County Councillor for Rossendale East.

He joked: "If I had missed the net it could have been the fastest by-election in history! I would recommend it to anyone. It was good fun and better than bungee jumping."

Skyborne was set up by former Manchester fireplace owner Barry Smith after he saw bungee jumping in New Zealand and decided to bring the sport to the UK.

Company secretary of Skyborne Suzanne Banks said: "We had 38 volunteers at Stacksteads and four went back for a second go.

"It was nice to be able to support something locally and we offered them a reduce rate."

The SCAD equipment travels all over the country with the company organising events for national charities including kidney research, Alzheimer's disease, Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow and RNIB.

Cousins Jenny Talbot and Claire Douglas braved the dive. The former Fearns High School pupils decided to have a go after Jenny's boyfriend talked her into it.

Jenny, 16, of Crowtree Avenue, Stacksteads, said: "I was really frightened but we both loved it -- so much so we both went back and had another go!"