Man, 79, abseils down Empire State Building

A daredevil 79-year-old from Wales joined Hollywood star Jared Leto and a group of others to abseil down New York's Empire State Building.

Bill Roberts, from Deganwy in Conwy county, became the oldest person to achieve the feat while fellow climber Orla Williams, 22, from Prestatyn, Denbighshire, became the youngest.

The 24-person team was lead by Leto, who began the 274m (900ft) descent from the building’s spire down to the 30th floor.

Mr Roberts said: "The moment I stepped in that elevator I knew there was no turning back, but boy was it worth it."

This was not the first time Mr Roberts has abseiled down iconic buildings - he has also completed the Shard, the Fenchurch Building - known as the Walkie-Talkie, the Gherkin and the Leadenhall Building - known as the Cheesegrater.

"I promised my wife this would be the last one," he said.

While Mr Roberts has experience with heights, Guy Williams, 57, from Prestatyn, said he was "terrified".

He added: "You're that high you can't hear the city. You're just in silence and then all of a sudden you hit the sound."

His daughter Ms Williams said: "It was nerve-racking to start with but once I was up there and over the edge, I was having the time of my life.

"The views were incredible and being able to soak them in from so high up is something that will stick with me forever."

The group were raising money for Outward Bound and its CEO Martin Davidson said the charity aimed to inspire young people from inner cities to experience new things in national parks.