80-year-old Guiseley athlete over the moon after setting his first ever athletics world record

Tony Bowman, competing in the 80 and over age group, set a new benchmark of 10.86 seconds for the 60 metres hurdles when he competed at the British Indoor Championships in London. The previous record was 11.10 seconds.

Tony Bowman, with previous medal he has won

The octogenarian also won the 60 and 200 metres sprints at the same event.

Mr Bowman's record-breaking did not stop there either, as he set a new British best in the indoor 200 metres at an event in Italy, with a time of 32.30 seconds - beating his own previous record of 33.03 seconds. He also won the 60 metres sprint and the 60 metres hurdles at the competition in Italy.

Mr Bowman, who lives with his wife Betty, 82, on The Poplars in Guiseley, said of his new world record: "I was absolutely over the moon. It is my first world record ever - it took me 80 years to get it.

Tony Bowman​ in action

"I have won world titles but never got a world record before.

"It is a terrific feeling of satisfaction, especially with all the hard work that goes into it - like hurdling in a snow storm while training at Headingley."

He added: "It has given me a great lift. But I still want to continue as long as possible, God willing. I am still really enthusiastic about it."

Mr Bowman shows no signs of slowing down and will take part in ten events - 100 metres, 200 metres, hurdles and field events - at the Northern Masters Track and Field Championships in Leigh next month.

Then he is aiming for more record-breaking in his age category at the British Championships in Birmingham in September. He said: "I am hoping to break the 200 metres British outdoor record and the 80 metres hurdles outdoor world record.

"I am looking to knock about half a second off the 80 metres hurdles world record."

Mr Bowman, who has overcome a couple of heart attacks over the last ten years to achieve his success, holds six of eight British sprinting records for his age group. He can do the 100 metres in 15.16 seconds.

Tony Bowman​ sprinting

He names former sprint hurdler Colin Jackson and distance runner Derek Ibbotson as people he admires, and said one of his ambitions is to run the 100 metres when he is aged 100, and then live another 20 years.

A former probation officer, he enjoyed athletics success as a schoolboy before his interest dropped away. But it returned with a vengeance aged 42.