A BLIND man is celebrating after setting a world record - by driving a lorry at 120 miles per hour.

Mike Newman, 53, has been blind from birth due to glaucoma. He set the record on a sunny day at Elvington airfield, using a specially adjusted 5.5 tonne racing lorry supplied by British Truck Racer Dave Jenkins.

Mike was alone in the cabin of the truck but was receiving radio instructions by Dave, who followed close behind in a car. Dave said: "It's not to be underestimated, the complexity of the challenge. But it's also so rewarding to achieve something that is so...ridiculous, in a way."

After a morning of practice runs with others in the cabin with him, Mike started his few solo runs in the early afternoon. Despite the fact that, due to his glaucoma, he had to have his eyes removed at a young age, the Guinness record stipulated he also had to wear a black-out helmet.

Before the attempt, Mike said: "I'm attempting the land-speed record in a racing lorry for the first time. I'm respectfully optimistic. Confident but not blasé."

The trial runs went well, and a small crowd were gathered to watch the final record-setting attempts. Again, these went without a hitch, with the target speed of 100 miles per hour being smashed.

Mike achieved a speed of 120.04 miles per hour.

Gina Campbell, daughter of Donald Campbell and grand-daughter of Malcolm Campbell - both land and water-speed record holders - and the women’s World water-speed record holder herself, was present to watch. She said: "It is something quite extraordinary."

Father-of-two Mike arrived back elated at his drive. He said: "It's a great privilege to do this, and it's a great privilege to be surrounded by these fantastic supporters."

Mike founded Speed of Sight, a UK which runs driving days for disabled people and their families, centred around inspiring self-confidence and allowing people the thrill of speed.

With eight world records, seven of which are Guinness World Records, he is an experienced hand at speed-records. Mike's previous records saw him fly a plane, drive a motorbike at 89mph, drive a boat at 93mph and in August 2014 he drove a car at over 200mph.