A THIRTY-year love affair with flying machines has seen Malcolm Goodman dubbed the "kiteman", with a reputation that has spread around the globe.

On his web site he introduces himself by stating that kite flying can be contagious and seriously damage your wealth. And he should know, for he has one of the largest collections of Oriental kites in the world at his home in upper Teesdale.

His interest was generated when he was heavily involved with another sport reliant on wind - land yachting - as he tried to find ways of passing the time while waiting for sufficient wind to sail. It was further fuelled by a visit to San Francisco, where he was fascinated by the sight of adults flying colourful specimens above Fisherman's Wharf.

"On my return home I made my first kite, which happily flew first time and spurred me on," he said.

The history of kite flying stretches back over 3,000 years, with many theories as to where it began, the popular belief being China.

Mr Goodman's interest spans only 30 of those years, but his knowledge of both flying and making what are often thought of as nothing more than children's toys is vast.

He has kites from all over the world in his collection, which he next year hopes to turn into a museum and visitor attraction at Middleton in Teesdale. He has already divided the collection into different rooms for different countries, which, as you view each in turn, give a superb indication of each country's influences on shape and design.

His collection spans the smallest to the largest and includes an intricate miniature kite the size of a pin to a huge 100m dragon and tail.

"I have hand painted ones by some of the best makers in China, which can cost £350," he said. "But each is full of symbolism, not just painting for painting's sake.

"They were banned in China during the Cultural Revolution and a few makers who ignored it were given a three-year jail sentence and had their kites destroyed," he added.

Others who wanted to maintain the art without being caught made miniature kites, such as the ones in Mr Goodman's collection, in secret. However, the present administration sees kite flying as a way of keeping the population healthy, and the manufacturing and export of kites as beneficial to the economy.

Butterflies on Chinese kites signal harmony, while chrysanthemums wish the owner a long life, and bats are a sign of good luck. The Chinese name for kites, translated into English, is wind harp and many are fitted with audible bows or "hummers" which sound like a high pitched didgeridoo when airborne.

Others depict Japanese warriors and folk heroes, each with a story to tell, traditional snake and bird kites from Thailand, decorative Malaysian structures, lifelike birds from Bali and Vietnam, and leaf structures - thought to be the first design of kites - from Indonesia. Leaf kites are still used today for fishing; flying lines out to deeper water for a better catch.

"The Wave is a famous painting in Japan, so that appears a lot," said Mr Goodman, a former electrical engineer with British Steel. "Unfortunately it is a dying art in Japan as sons and daughters are more interested in Western culture and don't want to take it up. And if you live in Tokyo you have to drive for two hours before you can find an open space to fly one."

A Guatemalan kite made from tissue paper looks too delicate to send skywards. But Mr Goodman explained they are built to fly over the graves of ancestors on special anniversaries rather than used for sport.

In pursuing what at first was a hobby, he has taken part in many kite flying festivals over the years, travelling to the Far East, Iceland, America, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, Belgium and Hawaii, where he married his wife Jeanette. She has also developed an interest and is now no mean kite-flier herself.

Dubbed "the kiteman" by children whose interest he has engaged, he has been responsible for introducing the joys of the art to many adults via displays, workshops and kite festivals. He was heavily involved with the summer festival at High Force in upper Teesdale, which has become an annual event.

For the last 14 years he has been an adviser to Sunderland Council, helping organise one of the largest festivals in Europe - the Washington and Sunderland international event - which attracts 70,000 spectators and sportsmen from around the world. He is also an adviser to Bedford and North Lincolnshire councils.

He is full of knowledge and stories and tells a fascinating tale about restrictions on the size of kites in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall.

"Apparently nobody was allowed to make a kite more than 15" square in case it was used to fly escapees to freedom," he said.

In the 19th century a young boy won a contest to land a kite on the opposite bank of the Niagara Falls. The line was then used to pull larger cables over the river, allowing work to begin on building the first railway bridge between Canada and America.

There's also the story of a stagecoach service operated in the 1800s, using kites instead of horses to pull the contraption.

"There were tollbridges along the route, which charged so much per horse," said Mr Goodman. "But the tollkeeper didn't know what to charge so the driver got away without paying."

His workshops are also in demand in schools, where he shows up to 70 pupils at a time how to construct a basic kite in the hope of making it fly. He also works with Sure Start, bringing parents and children together to work on simple projects.

"It is a blend of art and science which can be worked into the national curriculum," he said.

His workshops are not confined to the UK. He has shared his knowledge worldwide and has even been involved with the street children of Cambodia.

But once built, how do you solve the mystery of getting it airborne?

Mr Goodman says there is no trick and even the most basic structure will fly if it has been balanced and put together properly.

"Many people think you have to launch a kite in the air, but that isn't the case," he added. "You need someone to hold the back of the kite while you hold the line. When there's a bit of wind they release it, you run, and it will go up straight away. And put a bit of tail on it."

Those wishing to contact Mr Goodman can call 01833 640584 or visit his web site at www.kiteman.co.uk