World-record rocketman

A stuntman today broke the world record for the highest flight wearing a jet pack as he soared above London.

Eric Scott, 41, an exserviceman with the US Air Force, flew over The Castle, a 10-storey indoor climbing centre in Stoke Newington, using a so-called Rocketbelt. His 152ft-high flight has set the benchmark for such stunts. Other jumps using the Rocketbelt are usually around 50ft, though none has been officially recorded. Mr Scott said: "It's amazing. I'm completely thrilled."

Rocketbelts generate 800 horse power, more than a Ferrari F50 GT, and can go from 0-75mph in just two seconds. They were devised in 1961 by the US military, who wanted to prove that man could fly - and land on his feet. They envisaged battalions of rocketmen flying into battle.

Two rocket nozzles fire super-heated hydrogen peroxide steam to propel the user into flight. The 170lb rocket was strapped to Mr Scott using a fibreglass corset. Rocketbelts first captured the public imagination when another stuntman used one at the opening of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Mr Scott - currently the only Rocketbelt stuntman in the world - used one when he took part in Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" tour.