A Hampshire lawnmower cut the world land speed record to ribbons last night with a trail blazing new top speed of more than 86mph.

The unique petrol driven mower raced into the record books in front of an ecstatic crowd at Pendine Sands, in west Wales.

Rider Don Wales smashed the previous 80.792mph lawnmower land speed record with an impressive 86.069mph.

But his team have vowed to return to the scene of the speeding triumph today in a bid to break the elusive 100mph barrier.

The jet-red sit-on machine began today by giving a demonstration of its grass cutting ability to prove it qualified as a lawnmower.

Challengers for the record must drive over a measured mile in one direction and return within an hour.

The record attempt using the motorised grass cutter also has to ensure it is built primarily from lawnmower parts.

Mr Wales went on this evening to streak across the one-mile section at the seven-mile stretch of sand, proving that speed is in the blood.

His grandfather was Sir Malcolm Campbell who broke the world land speed record, in a car, at the same historic venue in 1924.

The Bluebird, the classic car he drove more than eight decades ago, was on show today at the Welsh Museum of Speed at the site.

It may now be joined by a lawnmower which could itself eventually become something of an icon of speed in the future.

''We are all very excited. It looked like time was running out today but we have now set a new land speed record of 86.069mph,'' said Clare Hansley-Boyd, a spokeswoman for the British team.

''It really looked like time was running short and we wouldn't make it today and then it all came good.''

She said the mower completed the measured one-mile section and within another half-mile its drive belt broke.

''We've got plenty of replacements with us but for now it's back to our hotel for a celebration.''

She added: ''But it won't be too excitable because we will be out here again tomorrow afternoon and hope to break the 100mph barrier.''

Project Runningblade was dreamed up by the National Motor Museum (NMM) in Beaulieu, normally home to the Bluebird, to seize the record from America.

American Bob Cleveland set the previous land speed record on a lawnmower at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.

He was present today after having flown in from the US to witness his British challengers cut the new record.

The record attempt is also raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and Wessex Heartbeat.