A TEAM from St John Ambulance Suffolk has been called upon to provide cover for a risky 120mph record-breaking attempt. A crew from the UK's leading first aid charity will be on standby at the old Bentwaters runway near Woodbridge, when a 27-year-old 'streetluge' racer makes his bid to smash the current world record on Tuesday.

A TEAM from St John Ambulance Suffolk has been called upon to provide cover for a risky 120mph record-breaking attempt.

A crew from the UK's leading first aid charity will be on standby at the old Bentwaters runway near Woodbridge, when a 27-year-old 'streetluge' racer makes his bid to smash the current world record on Tuesday.

Joel King is travelling to Suffolk from Bognor Regis to attempt the challenge.

His 'sport' involves laying down on a board similar to a skateboard and travelling at speed.

Streetluge competitions normally involve racers competing on boards which are powered by gravity alone, with no brakes. However, for this record-breaking attempt, Mr King's board features a miniature jet engine.

“The current record of 98.5mph was set some years ago,” said Mr King.

“I'm looking to reach speeds more like 120mph and have been rehearsing for it by doing trial runs with the engine, as well as being pulled by a car at speeds in excess of 100mph.

“Obviously I hope that everything is going to go to plan and that there will be no need to call upon the St John guys, but I think it's always best to have someone there and I'm very grateful that they are covering this record attempt for me.”

Keith Hotchkiss, operations manager for St John Ambulance Suffolk, said: “We get a variety of requests to help people at all sorts of incidents - but this is certainly the first time we've been asked to cover a record attempt of this kind.

“Obviously we wish Joel the very best of luck and will be hoping that we are not required in any capacity other than to cheer him on from the sidelines.”

Have you been helped by St John Ambulance? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk