SOCIETY: King of the squeegee rides again

The world window-cleaning record was reclaimed by its former holder, Terry Burrows, yesterday. He cut nearly a quarter of a second from his previous best as he cleaned three 45-inch-square windows in 18.46 seconds at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

Mr Burrows, 41, from South Ockenden, Essex, used a bucket of soapy water, a 14-inch applicator and a 12in squeegee blade.

Rules stipulate that the judge may add half-second penalties if any sections of the three panes are not wetted first or remain wet at the finish. The window ledge also has to be wiped clean.