NOTHING daunted, 80-year-old Tony Myers, a retired train-driver dedicated to the care of Clifton Parish Church, in York diocese, decided to repair a window-frame high in the church tower himself. "The window was rotten, and had to be replaced," he says. "Owing to the cramped space inside the tower, internal scaffolding wasn't possible, and external scaffolding would have been prohibitive."

A fellow parishioner and experienced mountaineer, Paul Brown, decided to help with providing Mr Myers (above) safe access to the window, 100 feet from the ground. "Using ropes and pulleys, Mr Brown hauled scaffolding planks to the top of the inside of the tower, and, using them as safety barriers, rigged up a rope cradle.

"We wore full climbing harnesses, and were clipped to the safety rope at all times," Mr Myers says. "That enabled me to work from the inside of the tower, and the job is now done. It could have cost thousands, but I reckon we did it for around £15."

The Vicar, Canon David Casswell, is delighted. "They have saved us a small fortune. Both did a fantastic job, and we feel very fortunate to have people like them in our congregation."