DANGER is not usually on the agenda at a business conference, but delegates at one meeting in York were challenged to complete a death-defying abseil down one of the city’s tallest hotels.

Twenty-five employees dared to take part in the hairraising bonding session which was designed to be an ice-breaker at the conference being held by York-based holiday park company Park Leisure.

Park Leisure teamed up with York adventure company Rock Steady for the eight-storey abseil down the side of the Park Inn Hotel in North Street.

Miles Dewhurst, 39, a director of Park Leisure, said: “We wanted something different and so decided to hold a conference with a twist, something that you don’t hear about every day.”

Joe Neatrour, 27, a sales advisor, said: “I studied at York St John a few years ago and I never thought the next time I came back to York would be to complete an abseil. I felt nervous and my body was trembling, but I just wanted to get down as soon as possible and get it over with.”

Shelley Armstrong, director of Rock Steady Adventure, said: “Park Leisure wanted an ice-breaker with a difference and I think we provided them with a one-of-a-kind experience.

“I think that the fear that some people were showing is a testament to the true bonding experience and hopefully the whole team will feel closer as a result of today.”

Grant Gidman, 35, Park Leisure’s head of marketing, said: “It was exhilarating, I loved it. It’s not something I would usually do but I really enjoyed myself and I just kept telling myself not to look down. The whole thing was an experience and certainly something to tell my grandchildren about.”

Hattie Medd, 25, from York, a marketing assistant, said: “When I was at the top I didn’t know if I was shaking because I was cold or because I was scared.

“I was quite nervous, but everyone was really supportive and the camaraderie helped to get everyone through it.”