Record flight raises pounds 100,000 for Diana

A pilot who broke the record for flying from Britain to Australia by microlight said yesterday that he had battled through cyclones on the last leg.

Colin Bodill, 45, from Nottingham, arrived back at Manchester Airport a week after finishing his trip in Sydney. He was welcomed by friends and family including his 10-year-old daughter, Sarah.

Mr Bodill completed the 12,000-mile journey in 49 days, beating the previous best time by 10 days and raising pounds 100,000 for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Mr Bodill said he experienced some of the greatest and most frightening moments of his life during the trip, including flying 5ft above the Indian Ocean, alongside dolphins swimming through the waves, and encountering cyclones over Australia.