A blind man set a world record yesterday by reaching a speed of 144mph in a £58,000 car.

Mike Newman was alone behind the wheel of a super-charged 155mph Jaguar XRJ 4.2 during the record drive at a former aerodrome near York.

The 41-year-old, who has been blind for most of his life, now holds the land speed record for a blind person after beating the previous record of 141mph.

Mr Newman, a bank manager from Sale, Cheshire, did the challenge in aid of Guide Dogs For The Blind.

In an emotional celebration, in which he hugged his wife Kristen, 15-year-old daughter Becky, son Sam, 13, and guide dog Ross, Mr Newman said it felt fantastic to have broken the record.

"I'm so happy. This car is the tops. I love it and I'm going to cry when I give it back. It goes like the clappers," he said.

Spectators watched Mr Newman drive the car in extremely windy conditions at an average speed of 144.75mph over two runs.

He reached 142.8 miles per hour on his first run, driving into the wind on the 1.9 mile long runway.

He was in constant radio contact with his stepfather, also named Mike Newman, who followed at a distance and gave him directions.

Mr Newman Sr said: ''He's had to work really hard, he's done really, really well."

Wife Kristen said: ''I don't know what he's going to come up with next and that's the worrying part.

''I'm very proud of him, although I've never sat as a passenger in a car with him - especially not at 150mph.''

Mr Newman hopes to have raised between £4,000 and £5,000 for Guide Dogs For The Blind - and said his next ambition is to break a motorbike record on a 1-mile race circuit.

He said: "It will involve going round bends and corners. That will be a serious challenge."