Cancer survivor starts record flight

Norman Surplus, 47, above, will wave goodbye to his wife and two young children as he flies away from a playing field in his hometown of Larne, Co Antrim.

Five years ago Mr Surplus was diagnosed with cancer. But after months of treatment doctors defeated the disease and he is now intent on breaking a world record to raise money for cancer research.

"Part of this is to raise funds and awareness for cancer charities but hopefully it will also encourage people who are in the position today that I was in. Five years ago my future looked very grim, but five years on things are completely different."

The autogyro design is most famous for its appearance in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.