A DAREDEVIL priest has made a leap of faith to save his church roof.

Father John Wiseman braved a 30 metre high zip wire, after delivering his morning service at Saint Matthew’s Church in Market Street, Little Lever, last Sunday.

He travelled an eye-watering 260 metres through the air along the wire after leaping from the top of the Imperial War Museum, which towers over the Manchester Ship Canal at Salford Quays. Father Wiseman, aged 55, said: “It was very scary. I learned a lot about trust up there. I was totally dependant on the wire and the harness.

“But it was a great experience and I had a lot of support too.”

Wearing his full cassock and red stole, Father Wiseman came crashing down to earth at The Lowry just 25 seconds after leaping from the top of the museum building.

The charity jump was part of a bid to raise £1 million to fix the church roof.

Major works need to be started on the roof as soon as possible.

The priest is now ready for his next challenge.

He added: “We’re looking at what I can do next and we’re thinking of a skydive.

“I’m up for it after the zip wire.

Anything to help out the church.”

The earliest work will start on the roof will be in the autumn.

The church is hoping to raise some of the funding through charitable grants.

People can donate to the church fund by calling Mark Brocklebank, church warden, on 07919 575058 or they can donate via saintmatthews.org.uk