Employees of a sports centre have braved a 3,500ft parachute jump to raise money for the Oxford charity which employs them.

Chris Stowell and Paul Guest, who both work at the Oxsrad Centre in Marsh Lane, Marston, raised more than £1,000 with a parachute jump at the weekend.

Mr Stowell, the centre's 32-year-old operations manager, said: "It was definitely an experience.

"We were supposed to jump on the Saturday but because the weather was bad we didn't get a chance to, so we went down on the Sunday and eventually jumped in clear blue skies.

"It was very enjoyable, although a bit nerve-racking before we did it because it is not entirely natural to want to throw yourself out of an aeroplane. You don't realise how fast you are falling. It is only when you get down to the last 200 feet and you can see the ground and buildings that you realise you're falling at a fair old pace."

He added: "We are pleased with what we have raised so far, and hopefully more money should carry on coming in over the next few days."

Oxsrad, the Oxford and District Sports and Recreation Association for the Disabled, was opened in 1989 by Diana, Princess of Wales.

Originally set up to provide sports facilities for people with disabilities, the charity now aims to encourage integration in sport and about half of its 1,400 members are able-bodied.

Mr Stowell said: "We are trying to keep our prices as low as possible to attract disabled people and people on low incomes. To use our gym is £3 when it is £6 everywhere else."

He and Mr Guest, 22, decided to raise money for the centre because of a recent fall in membership.

Mr Stowell said: "Our membership has dropped by about 15 per cent over the last year but, because we attract so many disabled people, it is vital that it continues.

"Most of our money comes through donations and the money we take on the door."

Anybody interested in joining or supporting the charity and the sports centre can visit the centre in Marsh Lane, Marston, or call 01865 741336.