BRADFORD-BORN escapologist Antony Britton is going to be buried alive in a six foot grave - for a laugh.

The Comic Relief stunt on Friday, March 13 will only be the third time it has ever been attempted.

World-famous Harry Houdini tried it in 1915 and Manchester magician Alan Alan had a go in 1949 - but both failed.

"They survived but had to be dug out. I'm hoping to make my own way out," said Mr Britton, who is still searching for the perfect plot for his stunt which he hopes will be somewhere in Bradford.

On Comic Relief day, he will climb into in a 6ft by 3ft grave without casket or coffin and have five tons of soil tipped on top of him.

"It's even more dangerous trying without a coffin or casket because the soil will be right on top of me. The risks are suffocation, brain damage or death. There won't be much comedy in this stunt for me but I'm hoping it will raise lots of money. It will be my most terrifying stunt ever.

To prepare himself, he is concentrating on breathing techniques and developing his mental state and strength.

He said: "I've got to be ready for it, there won't be any second chances. My life depends on it."

Once the last of the soil goes on, he will have just ten minutes to get out before he has to be rescued.

A British Pathe film clip from 1949 shows the last man to try the stunt, 24-year-old Alan Alan, being covered by a flimsy bit of cardboard before the soil, with his only link to the outside world being a piece of string. He had to be hastily brought back up to the surface in a weakened and floppy state.

Not put off, former Beckfoot School pupil Mr Britton, who was brought up in Saltaire, will be revealing exact details of the time and location of his next death-defying stunt before March.

His Escape For Life fundraising performances have previously drawn crowds of hundreds to Bradford's City Park when he escaped an explosive burning steel cage knowns as Lucifer's Chamber with just seconds to spare and then last year was suspended more than 20ft above the city centre on burning ropes while in a straitjacket and shackled with just 90 seconds to get free.

To keep up with plans for the buried alive stunt and making donations to Comic Relief, go to the Escape For Life Facebook or e-mail antony@escapeforlife.org.uk.

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