DAREDEVIL pensioner Roscoe Poad, from St Austell, was hailed as the world's oldest abseiler after he completed a 55ft descent down County Hall for charity.

Mr Poad, 88, raised a gasp from the 150-strong crowd on Saturday as he abseiled down the side of the building in aid of the Cornwall Blind Association (CBA).

His name is expected to be included in the next edition of the Guiness Book of Records once all the necessary paperwork has been completed.

Mr Poad, who had never attempted anything like it before, said: "I won't be doing that again. I'm glad it's all over. It's a scary moment when you are on the top of the building looking down - it takes the wind out of your sails, I can tell you. But I did it and I managed to raised £505 for the charity."

Mr Poad, who is chairman of a visually impaired club in St Austell, was one of 211 people who took part in the event, and one of three representing the CBA - the other two were receptionist Kerry Keast, and Terry Moss, husband of Jenny Moss, a support teacher for the charity.

Development officer Anna Butterfield said: "We were delighted when Roscoe chose to take part, although we were concerned for his health and insisted that he got a doctor's certificate. We are very proud of him."

The CBA is a charity that provides a range of services for blind and visually-impaired people, including help with transport, counselling and support for social and sporting activities. It is based at the Sight Centre in Truro, which has a demonstration kitchen, equipment and access technology rooms.

Overall the abseil raised nearly £1,000 for the CBA, and more than £30,000 for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, who co-ordinated the event.