GUTSY great-grandad Ted Howarth is scaling new heights after taking up abseiling - at the grand old age of 80.

But for Ted, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, it's just the latest in a long line of adrenaline-pumping pastimes, including flying lessons and hot air ballooning!

Ted is part of the Up for Owt group, run by Blackburn with Darwen Council and aimed at those over the age of 50 who like to get involved in more adventurous activities.

Recalling his most recent feat - abseiling 40 foot down a sheer rock face in the Lake District - Ted said: "It was really scary at first but once you got over the edge it wasn't so bad. I didn't jump down like the man from the Black Magic advert though!

"You have to throw yourself back and put your trust in the people around you.

"When I got the bottom I wanted to do it again. I have never done anything like that before."

Widower Ted - he lost his wife Grace two years ago - has a weekly schedule that would put hundreds of couch potatoes to shame.

He loves cycling, horseriding, golf, fishing, walking - and today he was taking his first flying lesson in Blackpool.

The former newspaper shop owner, said: "I don't know when I had time to work.

"You get people who want to play bingo but we were all interested in getting off our backsides and getting out. Physically we are tuned in to it.

"There are too many people sitting around saying they can't do it when they have never tried.

"The scariest thing I can remember ever was my first flight in a Lancaster Bomber in 1942 as they flew so low."

On the latest trip to the Lake District, 21 members embarked on a five-day holiday where they filled the days with walks including Drigg Beach, Buttermere, Wasdale and Levens Park where they were lucky enough to see the park's rare Black Fallow Deer crossing the River Kent.

The group, which is subsidised by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, also spent a day at The Gatehouse outward bound centre where they sampled canoeing and outdoor brain-teasing activities.

For more details on the group, which formed in September 2002, call Matt Donnelly on 01254 587242 or 07736 029065.