A THRILL-seeking pensioner will take a perilous plunge for charity to mark his upcoming 90th birthday milestone.

Stourport gardener Gordon Maycroft, 89, will take on KEMP Hospice's 'BIG 50' parachute jump on September 22, after celebrating his 90th birthday in August.

The high-flying nonagenarian will take on the challenge to "tick another box" and to help the work of the hospice who are also marking an important birthday - 50 years of their care and support services.

Gordon was previously in the army, and throughout his life has been a keen marathon runner and skier, but has never attempted anything like this before.

Gordon said: "I saw the KEMP advert and I thought I'd try that."

"I have travelled the world and have been around a bit, but I have never done anything like this before."

"It will be an achievement, another thing to tick in the book, and I'm still here to be able to do it."

The parachute jump will take place at Hinton’s Skydiving Centre in Brackley on the Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire border.

Challenges Fundraiser at KEMP Hospice, Shelley Stanley said: “Gordon is an absolute legend - he told me that he wanted to do something special to mark his big birthday and our golden anniversary too.

"For someone of 90 years of age to want to take up this challenge is fantastic.

"It’s really inspiring that people are prepared to do this for KEMP, to take on a challenge on behalf of people who face incredible challenges every single day."