Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall at Bradford City Hall yesterday and a poignant world record dream was shattered.

Damian Andrews, 32, was hoping to write the nursery rhyme character into the record books by crouching against a wall longer than anyone in history.

He made the attempt in memory of his father, Barry Andrews, who had wanted to break the record before he died of cancer.

To do it, Damian had to sit unsupported against a wall - in a position known as the Samson's Chair - for longer than 11 hours and five minutes.

And he decided to dress as Humpty Dumpty to help attract attention and collect more cash for Marie Curie Cancer Care Hospice, which looked after his father before he died.

After weeks of training, Damian braved the rain at Centenary Square to try to take the record away from Rajhumar Chakraborty, who established it in India in 1994.

Before the event, Damian's personal best was two hours but he was confident he could not only smash the record but last for 24 hours - until 11am this morning.

However there was to be no fairytale ending for Humpty Dumpty who was forced to quit after just an hour and 15 minutes.

He said: "I felt my legs beginning to go when I was being interviewed on radio but I am glad I had a go and I think my dad would have been pleased that I tried to do it for him.

"I will definitely try again a bit later in the summer - when the weather is better."

Damian was joined on the day by his wife Shona and son Mark, 13, who lent him moral support.

Shona said: "I am proud of him for having a go. We didn't pick a good day for it with the weather but quite a lot people have still come and donated money for us."

Shona was videoing her husband's attempt as proof to send off to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Damian's father, Barry, of Buttershaw, had always wanted to get himself into the book.

His original plan was to break a record on a rollercoaster but when staff at Marie Curie Cancer Care advised him against it, he decided to focus on the static wall sit record and was planning to attempt it before he died of lung cancer, two years ago, aged 63.

Now Damian is determined to keep his father's dream alive and said that he would not let yesterday's disappointment put him off.

Damian, who lives in Halifax, decided to carry out attempt in Bradford because he wanted to raise cash for the city's Marie Curie Cancer Care hospice off Leeds Road, where his father had stayed before he died.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor Damian's next attempt can contact (01274) 337035.