• A LYMINGTON-based team are behind the latest attempt on the world steam land speed record.

The British Steam Car had a successful test run at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave desert this week which offers miles of flat, dry ground.

It was originally scheduled for July, but the team has decided to postpone its record-breaking attempt until the week of August 17, to allow for a few technical issues to be resolved.

The team is hoping to shatter the 103-year-old steam-powered record of 127.66mph, which was set by American Fred Marriott's Stanley steam car in 1906.

  • A LANDSCAPE gardener from West Knighton, has just become World Stinging Nettle Eating Champion – at his first attempt.

Mike Hobbs, 28, had never eaten a nettle until the night before the competition, held at the Bottle Inn at Marshwood. He was up against stiff opposition from Britons, Canadians and Australians.

His throat was so badly stung that he couldn't speak for two days, but he will return next year as he has heard a representative from the Guinness Book of Records will be present.

  • POOLE kite surfing ace Andy Ward is training for a gruelling world record attempt to surf the 70 nautical miles between the Channel Islands to Poole in September.

Weather permitting, he’ll spend eight hours completing the challenge across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

  • STUDENTS and staff of Bournemouth University hold the world record for the most people dressed as a superhero in one place.

The rules stated the gathering had to feature only ‘instantly recognisable’ superheroes, and more than 100 people had to take part to make it into the Guinness Book of Records.

The Uni gathered 103 eligible people, with 12 further entrants failing to make the grade.

  • IS the Dorset Naga chilli the hottest in the world? It would seem so.

Dorset company Peppers by Post created the firey fella and the 2008 crop was tested at 921,081 SHU. To put this into context, a Jalapeño chilli – considered hot by many people – has a heat level of around 10,000 SHU.

BBC Gardeners’ World recorded a much higher 1.6 million SHU for the Dorset Naga.

Until 2006 the Guinness world record for the hottest chilli was held by the Red Savina chilli, with a one-time measurement of 577,000 SHU.

  • LAST year, an attempt to break the world record for the most number of people taking part in a town cry sadly failed for the second year in a row. Dorset County Show was the site of the attempt, which in 2007 attracted 147 people to take part.

Officials at Guinness stipulate that there should be at least 200 participants, but unfavourable weather once again kept people away.

  • IN July, the Kube on the Bournemouth and Poole College Campus saw hundreds of people dressed as robots attempting to break the world record for the most people robot dancing at the same time.

All the participants had to do was be appropriately attired and dance for five minutes in a robotic manner.

An army of local school children, office workers and interested passers by all did their bit to get into the record books. Sadly they were just seven people short to break the current record of 276.

  • IN 2008, 24-year-old Jo Hedger broke the world record for the fastest female footlock – climbing a rope using just hands and feet.

Jo, who lives in Sway, is a champion tree climber and runs a training school for the forestry and arboricultural industry.

  • To celebrate the start of this year's four-day Air Festival, organisers are kicking off the celebrations with a Guinness World record-breaking firework attempt.

Roar on the Shore will take place on Thursday 20th August at 9:30pm where 110,000 Fireworks will be set off in under 60 seconds.

The event will be raising money for the charity Help for Heroes.

The current Guinness World Record for the most fireworks set off in record time was set in 2006 with 56,645 fireworks in Plymouth.