BEING locked in a cold dark cell on Hallowe’en is most people’s idea of a nightmare.

But that scenario is all Dan Robinson has been dreaming about for weeks as he prepares to take on the stunt of a lifetime.

Only ever successfully achieved by one other person, Dan, under his stage name of “Weasel Dandaw” is hoping to break out of the notorious York Castle prison to mark the anniversary of his idol Harry Houdini’s death.

It was a stunt that the great Houdini himself refused to do, but one that will be attempted by the 47-year-old tonight.

He has taken the day off from his day job at Southampton Airport, where he is part of the ground staff crew, to take on the challenge, which he hopes will also raise money for local charity Sophie’s Appeal.

Although not asking to be sponsored for the stunt – in case he is not successful – Dan hopes people will pledge money to the charity that supports families with children who are being treated for cancer in memory of Sophie Barringer.

The escape attempt involves Dan being taken to the condemned cell before being searched by a medic to ensure he has not concealed anything that could help his escape.

He will then be locked in chains which will be attached to the wall of the cell where Dick Turpin spent the night before being executed.

The solid oak cell door is then double locked from the outside.

Dan, who lives in Poole, said: “It has been all I have been thinking about from the minute I wake up.

“It has been a bit of a roller coaster, but overall I am feeling quite confident about it.”

As chairman of the UK Escape Artists group, Dan was put forward for the challenge as his area of expertise is breaking out of jails, having done a number of similar stunts in the US.

He also successfully escaped from a strait jacket whilst dangling over a pit of alligators suspended from a crane.

Dan took up escapology relatively late after ‘running away to the circus’ aged 33 following the break-up of his marriage.

After trying fire-eating, Dan turned his attention to escapology, which he did full time for a number of years before deciding to get a “proper job” with the airport ten years ago.

Sophie’s Appeal charity founder and Southampton Airport work colleague Mike Barringer said: “I think that this is an amazing challenge and I am grateful that Dan has chosen to fundraise for Sophie’s Appeal.

“It means so much to us but so much more to the poorly children we support.”

To donate, visit sophiesappeal.org.