SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: A SWINDON gliding enthusiast has found an original way of contributing to the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Barry Key, 45, a business development manager from Haydon Wick, is inviting guesses as to how long he can stay in the air in his glider.

He will take to the skies at noon on September 4 at the Cotswold Gliding Club.

He said: "The person who gets the closest to how long I can stay airborne will be given a free flight in a two-seater glider, courtesy of the gliding club."

Barry has clocked up about 500 hours in the air, gliding and power flying.

He said: "I read about the Macmillan cancer appeal in the Evening Advertiser. I fly every weekend but I thought this would be a novel way of getting people to contribute.

"The longest flight I've done in the glider is just short of six hours. The whole thing is very weather dependent. If the conditions are good you can stay up for hours and hours."

Anyone wanting to make a pledge and guess the length of time he can stay airborne should telephone Barry on 0787 9434442.