WATCHET man Matt Stevens brushed aside his paralysing fear of heights to jump out of a plane and boost the funds of a high-flying service which helped save his nephew's life.

And after tumbling thousands of feet out of his comfort zone, the 33-year-old, who works in human resources for department chain Debenhams, described the experience as "amazing".

"I enjoyed every second after leaving the plane," he said.

"I would definitely jump again - and I never thought I'd say that!"

Matt successfully carried out his tandem skydive at Dunkeswell in Devon on Easter Sunday to raise funds for the regional air ambulances after the part the service played in getting his nephew Sam Cooper-Stevens to hospital. The two are pictured together after Matt's jump.

Sam - the only child of Matt's brother Martyn and his partner Kate Cooper - survived a freak accident which left him submerged face-down for almost five minutes in Watchet harbour's icy waters.

The youngster - just six months old at the time of the incident in February - was out for a walk with Kate and the family's two dogs when strong winds blew his pushchair off Watchet's West Pier.

Incredibly, Sam survived unscathed with no apparent lasting damage, largely thanks to the swift action of local dockmaster George Reeder and first aider Tanya Allen.

But Matt was keen to demonstrate his thanks to the Devon Air Ambulance, whose crews gave Sam emergency treatment before transferring him to Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

So he chose to do something that would make him face his fears head on.

"It was a really long day and I had to wait for four and a half hours to do my jump but I have to say it was amazing," said Matt.

"All the family and lots of friends came along to watch, which was great."

Matt is hoping to raise at least £1,500 that will be split between the Devon and Dorset and Somerset air ambulances.

"I've started collecting the money but I think it will be a week or so until I get all of it in - only then will I know if I have reached my target."

Anyone wanting to add to Matt's fundraising can make a donation online at http://www.justgiving.com/matt-stevens7">www.justgiving.com/matt-stevens7.