Crocodile birdman to raise funds

David Headsworth was sent an inflatable crocodile while in Australia

A man whose brother died of leukaemia will enter a flying contest dressed as a crocodile to raise money for charity.

Andy Headworth, whose brother David died in December, will take part in the Worthing Birdman event on 5 and 6 July.

The contest, normally held in Bognor Regis, has been moved along the West Sussex coast to Worthing this year after storms damaged Bognor Pier.

Mr Headworth's attempted 35ft (10.66m) flight is intended to raise money for the charity Leukaemia Research.

He said the reptilian costume was a tribute to David, after an inflatable crocodile sent to him while on holiday in Australia became part of a family joke.

He said: "At Christmas 2005 we sent David and his wife-to-be a package which included an inflatable crocodile, and with my brother's sense of humour, he readily adopted 'Snappy' for the day.

"So my choice of a crocodile was an easy decision really, and it means so much to me and my family.

"David won't get a chance to see his son grow up, I hope I can help other parents to have a better chance to do so."