Reach for the sky

His efforts are all the more remarkable given that he is old enough to qualify for a free bus pass and, as a 17-year-old, Mr Wood was told illness would stop him flying.

A change of career – he became a chartered surveyor – failed to quench his thirst for adventure and he built his own aircraft from scratch after gaining a licence in America.

Eventually, he took to the skies and decided speed was his skill – blasting past the milestone of 91 records previously held by legendary American adventurer Steve Fossett and setting 101 of his own.

And, as the next generation of children look dreamily to the skies and say they want to be a pilot when they grow up, hopefully Mr Wood's story will inspire them not to give up.