A LYNX helicopter pilot soared into the record books lasr week, flying in the wake of a real-life James Bond.

Army Warrant Officer Barry Jones flew his open cockpit gyroplane 584 miles from Culdrose in Cornwall to Wick in Scotland in seven hours and 23 minutes.

He beat the previous world record of 543 miles set in 1975 by retired Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who flew Sean Connery's autogyro in the 007 classic film You Only Live Twice.

WO Jones normally flies Lynx helicopters for 9 Regiment Army Air Corps from Dishforth Airfield, near Thirsk.

After his record flight he said: "I am absolutely delighted. There were several tricky moments but the journey has gone very well.

"I am now looking forward to celebrating with the rest of the team in Wick later on."

He said the flight had uncovered teething problems with the aircraft, Global Eagle. These would be put right before he sets out on his next record attempt in June, flying round the world.

"Soon after setting out I lost power to the radio and drifted off course towards America, without a visa.

"I was forced to fly above the cloud over Wales, which was a totally new experience in an open-cockpit.

"The hairiest bit was flying for about 50 miles over open sea, which is all right in a twin-engined helicopter but a different matter in a single-engined gyroplane. If the engine cuts out then that is it, you are down.

"One thing that will need a rethink is the design of the cockpit, there was no room to read a map."