Reverend Simon Foster, vicar of St Mary's Church in Anstey, Leicestershire, made his jump over Langar on Tuesday.

"Just for one brief second I was very scared, but as soon as we were falling I thought: "I am going to do this'," he said.

Clive Taylor, a friend who suggested and helped organise the skydive, said: "It is a good way of collecting money and he is a great guy. I hope he enjoyed the view."

His tandem skydiving instructor, Chris Harrison, said it was a good dive.

"He enjoyed the landing and was very happy.

Before the jump Mr Harrison said: "He is going to see his boss a little closer than usual."