An upside down pilot will cross the English Channel in his own biplane to raise aid for a worthy cause.

Ex-commercial pilot Will Hosie will soar from Lydd Airport tomorrow and head 150mph to Cap Gris Nez, a journey of around 12 minutes.

Mr Hosie, who trained at Lydd and became a captain aged 26, said donations will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

“A long time ago we had an incident with an 18 month old baby.

“It was during the push back from the demos, where the flight attendants take passengers through health and safety.

“A little baby’s finger got caught in a seat and was severed.

“That has always stayed with me. The baby was taken to Great Ormond Street."

It will be the first time the 57-year-old’s kit aeroplane, a Christen Eagle, will attempt the crossing.

But it is not the first time he has flown the journey upside down, which is roughly 21-miles.

“Both My children have rowed and kayaked the English Channel and raised over £10,000 pounds.

“I thought the easiest thing for me to do is jump in a plane and fly it upside down.

“I did it before a couple of years ago and we raised some money so it’s time to do it again.”

His sons, Wesley, now 28, who used to be in the British water ski team, and Christian, 22, kayaked across the Channel.

It earned Christian, then 13, a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest person to achieve the feat.

Mr Hosie will take off at 11am, fly to Cap Gris Nez, and return at around 1,000ft with the wind behind him.

The pilot, who lives in Somerset and works for a private flight company said: “I love flying. I wanted to be a pilot since being a child.

“Anyone can do it as long as they’ve got fairly decent Maths and Science qualifications.

“People will need a good £100,000 to get started though.

“I also want to say thanks to Tag Aviation who will pay for the fuel and cover other costs."