Daredevil's appeal over space leap

Steve Truglia made an urgent appeal for sponsorship to complete his dream, which would see him break the speed of sound as he free-falls to earth.

The appeal comes days after Austrian extreme sportsman Felix

Baumgartner announced an attempt on the 50-year-old record, backed by Red Bull.

Mr Truglia said he has been planning the leap for 15 years and invested more than 100,000 of his own money. But the 47-year-old, from Wanstead in east London, still needs 500,000.

Mr Truglia said he can be ready to jump in three to four months after further testing on his light-weight balloon and pressurised space suit.

Over the years several attempts have been made on the record, set by American Joe Kittinger in 1960. The United States Air Force Colonel leapt from a balloon at 102,800ft (31km).

Mr Truglia said he will ascend to the edge of space seated in an open Kevlar box below a balloon. On leaving the balloon he would reach speeds of more than 700mph.

He estimated his chances of survival at 98 per cent, saying: "I throw that two per cent in because you are in a very dangerous environment."