ANOTHER attempt will be made today at test-launching a Hampshire-built car ahead of its attempt to break a century-old world land speed record for steam-powered vehicles.

Technical difficulties scuppered a bid last month to launch the British Steam Car, which was left marooned on the tarmac at the Ministry of Defence's Thorney Island facility in Emsworth.

A water filter in the rig allowed impurities into the water system. The resulting build-up led to a blockage - a problem not encountered before by the team behind the challenge.

The Lymington-based team is hoping for a trouble-free run when they return to the site today for what is likely to be their last public test before the world land speed attempt in the summer.

The British Steam Car team includes test driver Don Wales, nephew of the late Donald Campbell and grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell, who between them achieved more than 20 land and water speed records.

They hope to break a 103-year-old record by improving on the 127mph reached by American Fred Marriott driving a Stanley steam car in 1906 at the Daytona Beach Road Course.

It is the longest-standing officially-recognised land speed record but the British team hope to overhaul it by reaching a target velocity of 170mph with their car.

Weighing three tons, the British Steam Car is due to undergo a full test of its capabilities, including its steering, parachute deployment and braking systems, as a dress rehearsal for the record attempt in the United States.