An elderly man collapsed and died yesterday while completing an assault course at the Go Ape outdoor activity centre in Stirlingshire.

An elderly man collapsed and died yesterday while completing an assault course at the Go Ape outdoor activity centre in Stirlingshire.

The 76-year-old, who had been with his two young grandchildren, collapsed while on a platform on the course which is up to 150ft high at the centre near Aberfoyle shortly after midday.

It is believed the man suffered a heart attack.

The pensioner, who was wearing a safety harness, was waiting on a platform when he collapsed. He was undertaking the mile-long cross gorge adventure featuring rope bridges, tarzan swings, a cat's cradle of ropes, netting and platforms, set high in the trees and Britain's longest zipwires.

Instructors and staff attempted to revive him using mouth to mouth resuscitation before paramedics arrived. But the man, who has not been named, was later pronounced dead.

The Go Ape course, one of 17 in the UK was immediately closed and is expected to remain shut today while an investigation is carried out by Central Scotland Police and Stirling Council. The Health and Safety Executive have been informed.

Tristram Mayhew, chief executive of Go Ape, the Suffolk-based forest adventure operators, said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, in particular the two grandchildren who were with him. As well as carrying out our own investigation, we will be working with external agencies in any inquiry that may be undertaken."