Ian Ashpole: achieved a childhood ambition

Once he ascended to the record height at the North London Parachute Centre, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday, Mr Ashpole, cut himself adrift with a knife and parachuted back to earth.

Afterwards he said: "It's a childhood dream.

"I saw a film called The Red Balloon, in which a boy floats off on balloons, when I was a child and ever since I've wanted to do it."

Mr Ashpole had risen to 5,000ft attached to a support balloon to give him enough height to be able to parachute safely to the ground.

Dramatic moment

He then released himself and rose a further 6,000ft at an initial rate of around 1,000ft a minute.

He admitted to being mildly apprehensive before trying the stunt, which was quite eventful.

He said: "The one worrying moment came when I released myself from the support balloon and began to spin quite dramatically.

Ian Ashpole: achieved a childhood ambition

"It got to a point where a lot of balloons were starting to burst - it was like machine guns going off - and I cut myself free without any problem."

His wife Louise Ashpole said: "I don't understand it. I have no idea why he wants to do it.

"It's obviously great fun for him. I don't think I could stop him doing it if I wanted to."