A CITY teenager who is "totally petrified" of heights is doing a parachute jump from 10,000-feet for charity.

Rachel Tyler, who works for the county council's social services department, plans to perform a tandem skydive in aid of Mencap (The Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults).

But the eighteen-year-old administrative clerk admits she is scared of heights and "always has been".

"Since I was little I've been totally petrified of heights," said Miss Tyler, of Mason's Drive, Blackpole.

"When I was about 10-years-old I went to the top of Eastnor Castle with my parents and I got stuck because I couldn't move - I froze. That was the first time I was aware of being scared."

Miss Tyler believes the only way to conquer a fear is to confront it.

"I've been told by people that the only way to get over your fear is to face it, which I intend to do," she said.

"Plus, I'll be raising money for a good cause as well."

Her confidence was boosted when, at the age of 16, she dared to stand on Blackpool Tower's Walk of Faith.

"I stood on the Walk of Faith, which is a glass floor 520-feet up Blackpool Tower, and I have a certificate to prove it!" said Miss Tyler.

"It was extremely scary but if I can stand on that, I can do a parachute jump."

Following a day's training, Miss Tyler will make her jump at an airfield in Oxford, on Saturday, August 11, watched by her father and her boyfriend.

"I'll be getting my father to video it to prove that I've done it!" said Miss Tyler.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Miss Tyler can call her on 077488 48968.