Take off! Bognor Birdman spectacular

A sumo wrestler flew - very briefly - through the air at the International Bognor Birdman contest.

The costume contributed to the spectacle created by more than 30 contestants who hurled themselves fearlessly off the pier - dressed as an orang-utan, Penelope Pitstop and Darth Vader among others.

Their aim was to clinch the 25,000 jackpot, awarded to the contestant who makes the furthest flight over 100 metres.

For a full report and pictures from the event see this week's Observer.

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