AN ENTHUSIASTIC supporter of the Lancaster Canal has taken a hot-air balloon ride for charity.

Keith Tassart, of Morecambe, has a terminal brain tumour and he asked people to sponsor him by making donations to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Mr Tassart, who used to supervise volunteer work parties for the Lancaster Canal Trust, lifted off from a field near Kirkby Lonsdale at 4.45am on Monday morning (July 17). Virgin Balloons had a full basket of around 18 people travelling with farm manager Mr Tassart, and between them they donated £200.

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"It was a wonderful experience,” said the Morecambe man, who used to work for British Waterways. “We could see Blackpool Tower in the distance, and the pilot skilfully gave us a round trip by manoeuvring from height to height, to get advantage of different wind directions and strengths.”

He added: “A wonderful experience and I was overwhelmed at the strength of generosity of my fellow passengers, after I announced why I was taking this trip".

The Rosemere Cancer Foundation supports patient treatment in south Cumbria and Lancashire. To donate, visit www.rosemere.org.uk/donate