Dozens took the plunge for charity on Saturday braving adverse weather conditions to abseil down St Mary's Church steeple.

The 'Snowflake Challenge' raised more than £8,000 for Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers to continue its family support services after a funding cut by Hertfordshire County Council.

Some 80 participants shimmied down the church in High Street, including Harry the Hornet, Cllr Mark Watkin, deputy mayor of Hertsmere Peter Rutledge and teams from Signature Estates, Hilton Hotel and DLL Group.

Home-Start scheme manager Emma Power, who was one of the last to abseil, suitability dressed as a polar bear, said: "We are overwhelmed by the support from the local community and the funds raised from this event have superseded our expectations, the loss of funding from the county have galvanised our team and volunteers into action, this is just the beginning of our plans to continue to fund the service for families in need."

The charity also put on a Christmas market in the church hall, where the youngsters planned and managed stalls selling sweets, cakes and popcorn further raising funds for Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers.

The event was supported by the Watford Community and Education Trust, which is currently working with groups of young people on The National Citizen Service Scheme.

Home-Start will continue to accept donations for the event up until the end of December, their online page is https://mydonate.bt.com/events/snowflakechallenge/248272.

For more information about volunteering or the work of the charity call 01923 248010.