Hundreds crowded into Bradford’s Centenary Square last night to see daredevil escapologist Antony Britton break free from a burning iron cage dubbed Lucifer's Chamber.

Mr Britton had just 90 seconds to pick his way through padlocks, shackles and chains in what he said was a world-first stunt.

The contraption was fitted with four fuses to add even more explosive excitement to the event, which was all in aid of Help For Heroes.

Mr Britton, who was brought up in Saltaire and now lives in Huddersfield, had got funding for the fundraiser from Bradford Council.

Each year Mr Britton's organisation, Escape For Life, puts on a free show - Last year, he got out of a straitjacket while hanging upside-down above a river in Wakefield.

Before entering the cage yesterday he told the crowd: "This escape has never been attempted before. People ask me how it's going to go - I have no idea. It's a fifty fifty chance. It's not an illusion, it's not magic, it is what it is - it's an escape."

He got some of the onlookers to inspect the cage and shackles and asked one of them: "Are you happy with it?" to which the man replied: "Not for you mate!"

Lee Godfrey, 29, had come into Bradford city centre with his three-year-old son Bradley to watch the escape.

"We heard about the stunt on Facebook and liked it so we came down to see it for ourselves."

And Rebecca Saripo, 21, from Halifax had come especially to take photographs.

"I'm really in to this kind of stuff. I wouldn't mind having a go myself!" she said.

Mr Britton emerged from the burning cage to cheers with seconds to spare and needing just a little attention from waiting paramedics.

As well as the 'great escape', entertainment had been on all day in the square with bands, fire eaters and magic.