Up up and away with a beautiful balloon and of course a raving loon

Following on from last week’s world record theme, the Diary has learnt of a record attempt that defies logic and health and safety advice.

Ian Ashpole is planning to tie helium balloons to himself and float to an altitude of 15,000ft. He will then cut the balloons and parachute to earth.

Ian is obviously mad. But he created the existing record of 10,000ft in 1996. So at least he’s consistently mad.

Worryingly, Ian says the attempt will take, among other things, “a little bit of luck”.

Exactly how many Road Runner cartoons Ian has watched is not known, although the Diary has it on good authority that the balloons are being supplied by ACME.