A HEAD for heights will be required when Howard Farrar takes to the skies at the end of the month.

After wife Lauraine had given him the unusual present of a helicopter lesson at Christmas, he decided to use it to raise money for charity.

So, on March 28 he will take off with an instructor from the Helicentre at Blackpool Airport.

Howard is the son-in-law of Fylde Mayor Dawn Prestwich and has used his lesson to drum up a lot of sponsorship money for her various charities, including the MRI Scanner Appeal.

Now he is looking forward to his big day.

"When I first got the present I was a bit worried," he said.

"But it's great to be able to raise money by giving it a go.

"I don't have a problem with heights and there will be someone next to me, so it should be fun."

Wife Lauraine said: "I wanted to get Howard something different for Christmas and although he was a bit bemused at first, he eventually talked himself into it.

"By tying the lesson up to the mayor's charities it means there is no way he can back out."

Sponsorship has already come from several quarters including Blackpool Printers where Howard works.

Sponsorship forms are available from Blackpool Printers in Clare Street, JR Taylor Hair Salon in St Annes Square and Fylde Town Hall.

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