PENSIONER Ken Arscott enjoyed his first parachute jump so much that he has decided to repeat the experience - at the age of 81.

Ken, from Alcombe, raised more than £4,000 for the RNLI and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance last year by asking people to sponsor him for his inaugural fall instead of giving him presents for his 80th birthday.

And he had such a great time that he can hardly wait to try it again.

"I wasn't scared one little bit. I was the first out of the plane and I fell 9,000 feet in the first 60 seconds - that's 123 miles an hour," he said.

"And once the parachute opened it was so calm and peaceful.

"I had a perfect landing, stepped out of the equipment and had a great lunch in the restaurant."

Ken, who still works one day a week as a parcel courier, will be doing his second sponsored jump from Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon on October 6.

But this time he will be raising money solely for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

"It's a fantastic cause and they really need the money so I'm hoping I will be able to raise between £3,000 and £4,000," said Ken.

And like the first time, his antics will be watched by around a dozen members of his family, including his wife Wanda: "I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I had wanted to do a wing walk on a plane but apparently you can't do it for charity and they said I didn't meet the health and safety criteria.

"It's a shame but there's nothing I can do about it."

Anyone wanting to sponsor Ken can contact him on 01643 705517.

Photo: Steve Guscott