Bemused shoppers were treated to the sight of 24 hardly volunteers, including Little Britain's Vicky Pollard and Spider-Man, abseiling down The Harlequin Centre yesterday morning.

The unusual challenge was taken on by the members of the Radlett Round Table, who raised almost £8,000 for the Peace Hospice, by lowering themselves down from the 100 foot height.

Steve Braden, chair of the Radlett and District Round Table, said the day had been a test for all 24 brave volunteers – but admitted it proved rather harder for some.

Steve, who was suitably dressed as Spider-Man for the day, said: “There were one or two who confidently sailed down, but there were also one or two who were overcome by the height and had the joy of nervously stepping down into thin air.

“We had one or two bemused passers-by looking at us. “We also had a lot of family and friends there. In fact, my six-year-old very kindly shouted 'jump daddy, jump' when it was my turn.”

Last year, the group raised £14,000 for the Peace Hospice by organising a fire walk. This year, the group were challenged to take on the cooler, if slightly loftier, fundraising task.

Along with 20-odd male members of the Radlett Round Table - some of whom dressed in fancy dress for the occasion - a couple of members from the Radlett Lady's Circle also took on the abseil.

Stave added: “It was something that was cooked up between us and the Peace Hospice.

“We have an ongoing association with them and they are always throwing ideas at me and I very stupidly took this one, even though I am afraid of heights.”

He added: “Everybody got to the bottom in the end. One or two people needed a couple of attempts because they lost their nerve but everybody completed it.

“We had a really good time, a few of them even decided they enjoyed it so much they went again.”

For information on joining the Radlett Round Table contact Steve on 07779 713854 or e-mail steve@braden-threadgold.com.