MAYOR Dorothy Thornhill and new councillor Sheila Smillie will be among those taking on the annual abseil in aid of Watford's Peace Hospice on Sunday.

The pair will join scores of others hoping to raise cash by attempting the 90-foot drop from the top of King's Car Park in the town centre.

Cllr Smillie, who became a Lib Dem councillor for Central Ward in the recent local elections, said she hoped to use her term to raise money for different local charities.

She did an abseil four years ago in aid of Cancer Research but admitted she did not like heights.

She said: "I didn't particularly like it when I did it before but I am prepared to do it again."

Mayor Thornhill, who was not looking forward to the challenge, said: "I'm terrified. I'm not actually scared of heights. It is going over the top that frightens me."

She added: "I feel Watford should really take the Peace Hospice to its heart. What always impresses me when I go there is the quality of the environment.

"When you have someone in there you know they are going to get great quality care."

As part of hospice awareness month, locals have been encouraged to hold tea parties and make donations to the hospice in Rickmansworth Road.

The Peace Hospice is offering Tea at Three today (Friday) to anyone who would like to drop in to find out more about the work it does.

To make a donation or for more information about the Peace Hospice telephone 01923 330340 or visit www.peacehospice.org.uk