TEENAGER Caitlin Richards has signed up to slide at 40mph on the UK's longest zip slide.

The 16-year-old from Portskewett will be one of the daredevils taking on The Wire challenge at the National Diving and Activity Centre in Tidenham to raise funds for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Caitlin said: "I wanted to find something really scary to do as a challenge to raise money for the MS Society, as my mum, Jackie, lives with the neurological condition." MS is the result of damage to myelin – the protective sheath surrounding the nerve fibres. Around 100,000 people have the condition.

Her mum volunteers with the MS Society's Chepstow and Newport branch to raise awareness of the condition, improve services for people affected by it and to raise funds, Jackie said: "As a Welsh Council Member for the MS Society, I help steer the charity's work in Wales.

"I'm so pleased that my daughter, Caitlin, wants to help raise money for the charity, to offer hope and help for people like me, who are living with this potentially disabling condition."

At 700 metres The Wire is the longest, tallest and fastest zip slide in the country and people taking part in the challenge will reach speeds of 40mph. Places are still available for the challenge on Sunday. For more information call 029 2078 6676 or visit www. mssociety.org.uk/the-wire.