FRIENDS of blind twins Bernard and Roger Masterman may have thought their retirement would slow them down.

But far from it. Next month the daredevil pair will tackle a 320-metre zipwire from the Newport Transporter Bridge for charity.

It is the latest challenge for the brothers, who have also abseiled from the John Radcliffe Hospital and taken part in a skydive.

The 68-year-old pair, who were brought up in Oxford, have both been blind from birth.

Bernard, from Botley, pictured above, said: “I am quite thrilled about it.I’ve done the abseil from the John Radcliffe Hospital twice and that is a little bit scary. It is when you are going over the top that it becomes scary.”

The pair were born in Bournemouth before moving to Oxford as young children and growing up in the city.

And, as is tradition, Bernard will be taking the plunge before his brother to make sure it is safe.

He said: “He used to make me do things first and if it went wrong, he would not do it.

“We would climb a tree at home and hang by our hands from a high branch, but Roger would not do it until I had done it first.

“So I expect nothing will have changed with the zipwire.”

Both brothers worked at the Cowley car factory. Bernard worked there for more than 40 years, working in a special section for disabled workers.

Roger has since moved to Coedely near Tonyrefail in South Wales.

The challenge is in aid of The Leprosy Mission, a charity which is supported by Roger’s church. It offers help to the three million people worldwide who suffer from leprosy, which can lead to the amputation of limbs and blindness.

Bernard, who is also a keen bellringer, said: “I think this about the challenge for both of us. Because we’ve been blind since birth, we’ve never known any difference.

“So I think it is about making the most of it.”

His brother added: “When I said I thought I could do the zip wire, my wife Pam said ‘don’t you dare’.

“She has come round though. We’ve done a lot of challenges now, in spite of being blind. I suppose you could say we did it because we’re blind, it gives us a reason to prove ourselves.”

The zipwire takes place on Sunday, July 15.

To join the challenge, contact John White, Wales area co-ordinator for The Leprosy Mission, on 01792 872438.