Andrew Coke and Steve Roberts spent 30 hours in the cage

Two pub workers - inspired by magician David Blaine - have raised more than �3,500 after spending 30 hours in a cage 30ft above the River Dee to raise money for Children In Need.

Andrew Coke and Steve Roberts from The Boat Inn in Erbistock near Wrexham, climbed into their box at 1530GMT on Thursday and re-emerged at 2130GMT on Friday.

The chef and general manager were suspended over the river by a crane with no food, no beer and no cigarettes to keep them going.

The pair got the idea from the American illusionist David Blaine who recently spent 44 days without any food inside a plastic box suspended by a crane near the River Thames in London.

Andrew said their ordeal, which has raised between �3,500 and �4,000, was tough going.

He said: "It was really hard and the last three hours were the worst.

"We were cold and damp and there was quite an amount of eggs being thrown at us.

"But there was a great atmosphere on Friday night and our regulars and the local people were fantastic."

Andrew said they are already planning to do a charity stunt for next year's Children In Need although he admitted there is "no way in the world" they would go on and try to emulate Blaine's 44-day fast.

A large crowd gathered on the river's banks and they were cheered on by their wives Fiona and Kate.

Kate Roberts and Fiona Coke cheered on their husbands

Stringent safety precautions were in place with a diver standing by in case they fell into the river and both were given diving lessons.

Steve's wife Kate said their five-year-old son Josh had been worried to see his father in the cage.

She said: "I thought Steve was completely crazy but it's a good charity so it's worth it."