SNOOKER legend John Spencer has potted a stash of charity cash - by jumping 13,000 feet from a plane.

The former world champion from Radcliffe took part in a charity parachute jump in Nottingham on to raise money for the Myasthenia Gravis Association (MGA), the muscle wasting disease which cut short his glittering career.

Mr Spencer, aged 69, decided to do the jump with the Red Devils after stopping the treatment for the stomach cancer he was diagnosed with two years ago. He said: "The chemotherapy was making me really ill and I just knew I wanted to stop it and let the cancer take its course.

"I realised I wanted to spend to rest of my life raising money for the MGA.

"I did enjoy the parachute jump and I didn't really have time to be scared. I'm just so pleased we raised as much as we did."

The three-times world snooker champion cut short his playing career 21 years ago after being diagnosed with MG, a condition which lead to him developing double vision.

Two years ago he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, but, after a year of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he decided to halt his treatment.

At the time the snooker star, who won his last world title in 1977, said: "Even if I only have another 12 months, at least I'll be happy because I reacted really badly to the side-effects of the treatment.

"I firmly believe that when your time is up, that's it. There is nothing you can do about it."

During his 20 year battle with MG Mr Spencer has suffered from regular bouts of depression, partly brought on by the steroids he took so he could continue playing snooker.

Even when he was forced to cut short his career and could reduce his steroid intake, he still struggled with mood swings.

It is believed as much as £20,000 has been raised for the MGA.