A BRAVE businesswoman who is scared stiff of sharks is set to take the charity plunge into a tank full of the fearsome fish.

Denise Gibson, who says she has always had a shark phobia, will scuba dive with ten-foot sharks, manta rays and sting rays.

She is aiming to raise hundreds of pounds in aid of muscular dystrophy, inspired by a close friend's three-year-old grandchild who has the condition. Denise, who co-runs a recruitment consultants in Micklegate, said: "I was having a few drinks over dinner with friends and one of them said there was an opportunity to do this dive in aid of muscular dystrophy. I said count me in, not realising he would take me seriously, but he did."

The mum-of-two, who lives in Arkendale, near Harrogate, has never scuba dived before, but is now on her fifth lesson. She said: "I am enjoying learning. It is the sharks that worry me, but I am determined to overcome the fear. To sponsor Denise, phone her on 01904 628077.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, April 12, 2003