A MUCH-loved actress took to the skies as she started her association with a Windsor charity with a daredevil stunt.

Sue Holderness, best known for her role as Marlene Boyce in British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, took part in a tandem skydive for Thames Hospice on Tuesday.

Sue, who took part in the stunt in her first role as an official Thames Hospice ambassador, leapt from a plane over Salisbury with the Red Devils to raise funds for the charity.

She said: "The sensation of falling was exhilarating and, surprisingly, not scary at all.

"As the parachute opened, we slowed to a blissfully quiet and gentle float through the air. We could see Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral and the Isle of Wight and just marvel at the beauty of our green and pleasant land.

“I want to say thank you to the amazing Red Devils and I urge everyone to do it. Also thank you to Thames Hospice – it’s an honour to raise funds for this amazing charity.”

Sue, who has brought her family up in Windsor and is married to Mark Piper, former managing director at the Theatre Royal Windsor, raised more than £600 for the hospice, which provides expert care for people living with life-limiting illnesses in East Berkshire and South Bucks, and was joined in the skies over Old Sarum Airfield by other fundraisers and hospice staff.

The Red Devils are the official parachute display team of the British Army, performing at high profile events across the country and also offering charity jump days which Thames Hospice was able to secure.

Louise Fallon, Thames Hospice's marketing and PR assistant, said: “I was inspired to jump as I see the expert care our patients and their families receive every day and we simply could not deliver this without people’s generous donations and fundraising feats.

"The skydive was amazing and I will be buzzing for months - I would recommend it to anyone."

Another jump will take place on September 21 and places are filling quickly. If you would like to take part, visit www.thameshospice.org.uk/skydive or call 01753 82121.