A HAMPSHIRE team will today attempt to set a new record for the world’s fastest lawnmower.

The enthusiasts are currently in Pendine Sands in Wales, where they hope their special sit-on mower will hurtle along the beach at more than 100mph.

They are determined to smash the existing record set by American Bob Cleveland, who achieved a speed of 80mph in the summer of 2006.

The mower’s braking parachute has been designed by pupils at Ballard School in New Milton.

Project Runningblade’s driver is Don Wales, part of the team that set a new record for the world’s fastest steam powered car in California last year. A spokesman said the team recently met at the famous Top Gear track, where the mower, which will have to travel at almost 150ft a second to beat the record, was tested for almost seven hours.

Under the rules it must be capable of cutting grass on the day. However, the blades will be removed for safety reasons before the challenge gets under way.

Powered by a 26bhp Kawasaki engine and running on road tyres, the machine is expected to cover a measured mile in just 36 seconds.