RECENTLY elected Tory councillor Natalie Neale had to keep tight-lipped during campaigning as she prepared to fulfil a long time ambition.

The 42-year-old, who represents Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, is getting set to skydive with the Red Devils in Nottingham on Tuesday July 1 - to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance.

She said: "The air ambulance is something I'm really passionate about. I went up with them when I was a student nurse and doing a skydive for them is something I've always wanted to do. It means a great deal to me.

"I didn't dare tell anyone about it while I was campaigning because I didn't want people to think I was using it as part of my electioneering.

"I've waited until the local elections were out of the way even though the skydive was booked long before then.

"But as a result, I haven't been able to raise much money. I've only raised £22.50 so far."

And she added: "All my fellow councillors are worried in case something goes wrong and keep telling me they don't want a by-election already."

Busy Natalie, a qualified nurse and midwife who also runs a wedding dress shop in Wall Heath, has been a tireless charity fundraiser in the past for such causes as breast cancer, cancer research and Compton Hospice.

Anyone wishing to sponsor her can go to her fundraising page at http://fundraising.midlandsairambulance.com/natalieskydive