THINGS are about to get serious for fun-loving Keith Blacklock.

Keith (54) is more accustomed to dressing up in silly costumes and hiding behind masks as a hard-working member of Prestwich Lions.

But the grandfather-of-six will be laid bare when he dives into a tank full of sharks as a charity stunt.

Brave Keith, who lives in Windsor Road, Prestwich, will swim with sharks at the Blue Planet Aquarium on Tuesday (June 1) and hopes to raise around £400 for the Children's Hospital Appeal Trust.

The charity is based in George Street, Prestwich and Keith was tempted by the challenge after reading about CHAT's work in the Guide.

Keith, a taxi driver, said: "I saw an article in the Guide about all the different fundraising events on offer by CHAT during the year. I spotted the one about swimming with sharks and thought 'someone's got to do it'.

"I am usually the daft one who dresses up in costumes to entertain people. I dress up as a Lion in the carnival but my family think I am mad for doing this."

Keith, who has even roped in local MP Ivan Lewis and the Mayor, Councillor Wilf Davison to sponsor him, said he was not scared about the prospect of sharing a tank with man-eaters and added: "I have seen it on the television and I am not nervous. It's something different isn't it?"