The loss of three people to brain tumours inspired two Pembrokeshire colleagues to take on a vertigo-inducing abseil to raise money for charity.

Angelo Rossi, 22, and Sue Taylor, 53, who both work at Monkton Priory Community Primary School, were among 40 brave souls who undertook the challenge of lowering themselves a terrifying 100m from the Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth's tallest building, on Saturday.

The pair hope to raise £500 for the pioneering UK charity Brain Tumour Research.

Teaching assistant Angelo, who lives in Sageston, said: "Our fundraising is in memory of my mum's best friend, who was in her early 40s when she who sadly passed away in 2009, and Sue's godson, who was lost in 2013 when he was just in his 20s. We also have a mutual friend who lost their father to this horrible disease.

"Taking part in this event was my idea because this cause means so much to us and we just want to do anything we can to raise money. Brain Tumour Research is committed to funding dedicated research centres and our greatest hope is that a cure can be found. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer... yet just oner per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable!"

The iconic Spinnaker Tower is visible for more than 23 miles and the abseilers described the experience as an 'exhilarating feat.'

Sue, an administrative officer, from Hundleton, said: "I have abseiled down a church tower before, but nothing as big as the Spinnaker Tower, so this was a first!"

Previously, Angelo and Sue have raised more than £6,000 for Brain Tumour Research and CLIC Sargent with a charity ball.

Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of Brain Tumour Research, said: "We are very grateful to Angelo and Sue for their ongoing support in raising vital funds and awareness of brain tumours. We are striving to fund a network of seven dedicated research centres whilst challenging the government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research in order to help patients and their families. Help us fund the fight. Together we will fund a cure."

Brain Tumour Research helps fund an annual £1 million programme of research at its Centre of Excellence at the University of Portsmouth. Further partnerships announced last year with Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College, plus Plymouth University, will pave the way for a £20 million investment in brain tumour research over the next five years.