An amateur pilot has put off his attempt to become the first man to cross the English Channel in a pedal-powered airship.

Frenchman Stephane Rousson, 39, was forced to delay his record breaking journey until September because winds had been too high and were not forecast to get any better before his cut-off point of June 18, when crossing would become too dangerous.

Mr Rousson did manage to get his blimp Zeppy airborne in one attempt but was forced almost immediately to abort due to high winds.

Originally he had planned to take off from Lydd Airport but then decided Dungeness beach would be more suitable because the wind conditions would be more predictable.

Mr Rousson said: “On one hand I am frustrated for not going but on the other I knew that I was going to be dependent on the weather.

“I have done five years of training so I knew it relied on forecasts and it might not happen.”

Mr Rousson plans to return to Dungeness for another attempt in either September this year or May next year.