A MAN from Watchet decided to throw himself out a plane for charity - despite being terrified of heights.

Paul Gallagher, operations services group manager at Hinkley Point B, completed his charity skydive last month, and has so far raised more than £1,300.

The money raised will go to Prostate Cancer UK - Hinkley Point B's corporate charity.

“Jumping out of a plane has never been on my to-do list as I’m extremely uncomfortable with heights but once I committed, that was it," said Paul.

"I had a few anxious moments through the months leading up to the jump.

"Mainly imagining looking out of the door of the plane at 15,000ft and seeing the ground before tumbling out of the aircraft.

"The sponsorship really helped - knowing so many people had promised to pay up if I completed it was a great motivator.

"I have to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed, they all made a massive difference.”

Paul agreed to the skydive during an online quiz, and once his daughter Daisy (who works at Hinkley Point C) found out, she signed up too.

Bridgwater Mercury: SKYDIVE: Paul Gallagher raised more than £1,300 for Prostate Cancer UK

And so the pair jumped out of a plane at 15,000ft on June 26 in Devon.

“On the day of the jump I felt calm and no worries until I was at the exit point of the plane looking out,” Paul added.

“At that moment all the feelings I had imagined came rushing back. But with no time to think, we tumbled out.

"Travelling at 120mph and free falling for 60 seconds over 9000ft was an amazing experience but noisy.

"Going through the clouds and not seeing the ground was one of the best parts.

"The sky diver let me have a go with the straps to spin and direct the canopy.

"I was ok until I looked at my feet and saw how high up we still were up and my tummy turned.

“Being on the ground never felt so good – afterwards I knew that I’d faced my fear of heights, but I am still far from keen!”

If you would like to support Paul and Daisy, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/PaulandDaisyGallagher.