DAREDEVIL Jim Ellis-Beech is gearing up for his epic attempt to pull off seven death-defying stunts this weekend - at the age of 81.

Retired Army PT instructor Jim is to tackle the hair-raising heptathlon in aid of Alzheimers disease charities, on Bank Holiday Monday.

And he hopes to become a record breaker into the bargain as he believes he is the first octogenarian to attempt the feat.

Jim, of Bishop Monkton, near Boroughbridge, begins his challenge at Elvington Airfield.

Spectators at the Evening Press-sponsored Great Yorkshire Air Show can watch him take to the skies in a biplane.

Nothing too unusual there - except that Jim will not be in the cockpit.

Instead, he will be standing on one of the wings.

Then, also at Elvington, he will be involved in a dangerous stunt where a plane he is in tries to land on the back of a moving lorry.

Then he will be flying some aerobatics, before bungy-jumping off the top of a crane.

He will follow that up by abseiling down Sutton Bank - then rock-climbing all the way back up.

And if that wasn't enough, he will complete the challenge by getting back into a plane - then jumping out of it from 10,000 feet.

Jim, who put soldiers through their PT paces for over 20 years, said that instead of being nervous about the challenge, he was looking forward to it.

"I wouldn't be doing it if I was worried about it," he said.

"I suppose there is a personal element to it all.

"I want to raise as much money as I can for Alzheimers, but I also want to prove to myself I still have the guts to do these things.

"I always say to people, if you want to try something, have a go at it, even things like the stunts I am attempting.

"The feeling of achievement is second to none, and I believe people are often capable of much more than they give themselves credit for."

If you would like to sponsor Jim, he can be contacted on 01765 677901.

Updated: 11:30 Wednesday, August 22, 2001