Blind driver in new speed attempt

Mr Cunningham has been blind since he was 12

A blind driver reached speeds of more than 170mph while training to break a land speed record on Wednesday.

Steve Cunningham, 41, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, climbed behind the wheel of a Mercedes sports car with a professional racer for company.

He hit a top speed of 175mph at Elvington Airfield in north Yorkshire ahead of his attempt to break the 180mph mark later this month.

Mr Cunningham is raising funds for his own charity Blind Vision.

You do get nervous doing these challenges but we've worked very hard on this project and you just become focused Steve Cunningham

Following his test run on Wednesday, Mr Cunningham, who lost his sight at 12 and already holds the blind sea speed record, said: "It felt good. I certainly couldn't have gone any faster today.

"We're on course to achieve what we want to achieve.

"You do get nervous doing these challenges, but we've worked very hard on this project and you just become focused."

Forty blindfolded drivers are also aiming to beat the solo blind record.

They will have the chance to drive a Formula One car with only radio instructions to guide them as they attempt to break the record speed of 144.7mph later this month.

The challengers hope to raise more than £60,000 for British Blind Sport.