Football boss in charity abseil

David Sheepshanks will be abseiling 50 feet

Intrepid staff at Ipswich Town Football Club are trying out a new sport to raise money for charity.

Chairman David Sheepshanks is one of 16 people due to abseil down the Britannia Stand, which backs on to the team's practice pitch.

They hope to raise up to £3,000 for the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Chief Executive Derek Bowden told BBC Radio Suffolk there were pre-abseil nerves.

'Ominous drop'

"Sixteen members of staff are abseiling 50 feet - but it looks more like 100 feet - down the Britannia Stand.

"There is an ominous-looking hatch - it's apparently where the cameras are pulled in on match day.

"It does overhang the stand so it's going to be quite precarious today - good fun!"

The annual Children in Need telethon is on Friday, 15 November.

Last year's appeal raised £25m nationwide.