A BRAVE Castle Howard worker took a chilly dip to celebrate 150 years of the stately home's Atlas Fountain.

Heather Eisenhut, the education co-ordinator at the stately home, took a swim in the fountain in full 19th century-style swimming costume to mark the fountain's anniversary.

Heather, from Indiana, USA, decided to take the plunge after learning Queen Margaret's School pupils, evacuated to Castle Howard during the war, used to do the same.

The fountain was put into operation on October 26, 1853, by landscape architect William Andrews Nesfield.

Updated: 09:52 Saturday, October 18, 2003