A British builder has proved the UK can still produce world-beating sportspersons by smashing the world record for making a balloon poodle with his hands behind his back, the Daily Mirror reports.

Geoff Pescud, 50, secured the title at a charity fundraiser on the Isle of Wight by knocking up a balloon poodle in just 6.75 seconds, shaving a tad less than a second off the previous record.

Pescud, who's been bending balloons for over 15 years, recalled: "I was really struggling with the first few attempts and the fourth was a disaster. But I think the fifth was actually the best balloon poodle I've made." ®

Bootnote

We decided we'd abandon any attempt to find an IT angle to this story and instead had a go at balloon poodle bending ourselves. Sadly, and after 30 tearful minutes, the best Reg hacks could produce was a balloon snake - skillfully mustered from one long unbent balloon.

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