THEY have already proved they have a head for academia.

But staff and students at the University of Huddersfield were also hoping that they had a head for heights – as they plunged 100ft down one of its buildings.

The daring abseil down the side of the university’s Central Services Building aimed to raise £10,000 for charity.

The event was organised by the RAG (Raise and Give) fundraising team to kick off a week of activities on the campus.

Around 80 students, staff and local business figures volunteered to throw themselves down the side of the iconic building in support of four local and national charities.

Among those taking the plunge was the university’s pro vice-chancellor, Prof Andrew Ball.

He said: “It was a great thrill. I’ve done rock climbing before so this was OK.

“I have a bit of a fear of heights but not of buildings as high as this – I think you get to the point when it doesn’t make much of a difference.

“The event has been great fun and there’s been a brilliant atmosphere.

“There has been so much support but I think there will be a few voices of disappointment that I used a rope!”

Jim Yip, dean of the School of Computing and Engineering, said: “This was my first time doing anything like this and it was very exciting – definitely something I would recommend to other people.

“It looked like a long way down. People told me not to look down and that the further I leaned back the better and I took their advice!