ST ANNES mum Angela Dawes is used to her action-packed family keeping her on her toes.

Talented daughter Leona, 12, is due to appear in Whistle Down the Wind at the Opera House this month and husband Russell is regularly going on scuba diving trips.

But they have excelled themselves recently with Russell throwing himself out of an aeroplane at 10,000 feet and Leona winning a Pontin's talent competition for the second year running.

Russell, 39, had said he wanted to try a sky dive before he was 40 and he got the chance as part of a fund-raising effort for Christie Hospital, Manchester.

His leap near Lancaster, in memory of Angela's uncle who died of cancer, raised £340 and Russell declared it "absolutely brilliant". Strapped to an instructor, the refrigeration and air conditioning engineer plunged for a mile at speeds of up to 120mph.

Leona's singing success at Pontin's in Southport earned her a spot in the holiday firm's grand final at Prestatyn on November 15. The Lytham St Annes High School pupil has always had a good voice and and has been attending dance and drama classes since she was six. Leona will be part of the chorus at the Opera House along with other members of the Scream drama school.

The family, of Gretdale Avenue, is completed by son Kynan, 10, and Kiena, four. "I don't have time for hobbies. My kids and Russell are my life. I have got enough to do keeping them in check," laughs Angela.