A SWOOP down from Blackpool Tower in the arms of a marine left Angela Latham sky high.

For the brave leukaemia sufferer, of Bathurst Avenue, Blackpool, was helping to raise thousands of pounds for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.

Angela, 35, joined 50 other volunteers - including her husband Paul - on the sponsored commando slide from the 518ft tower in the early hours of Wednesday (July 16).

Helped by Royal Marine Alan Willis, Angela glided gracefully down over the tram tracks at around 7am, filmed by the Big Breakfast Show and Granada TV.

"It was fantastic, it was breathtaking," she exclaimed. "I was very nervous as I sat on the scaffolding, but once we got over the edge I thoroughly enjoyed it - I'd do it again tomorrow."

Angela and Paul between them raised sponsorship of £2,500, and the whole stunt is hoped to generate £50,000.

The trust uses the cash for £50-a-time tissue tests necessary before new bone-marrow donors can be put on its register.

Angela herself is now awaiting a bone-marrow transplant from her sister, Susan Squires.

The sisters became national news when it was revealed Susan could not overcome her hospital phobia to donate marrow.

But the publicity brought offers of treatment at home, and even though Susan's tissue has turned out not to be a perfect match, it is Angela's best hope of successful treatment.

Anyone wanting to donate funds or to go on the bone-marrow donors register may contact the Anthony Nolan Trust on (01423) 879510.

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