He may be 81, but this man could have the slowest heart rate in the world.

Dan Green, from Sterry Drive in Ewell, got in touch with the Guinness Book of World Records (GBWR) after discovering his resting heartbeat drops to just 26 beats a minute.

That is even slower than Martin Brady, from Guernsey, who set an, as yet, unbroken world record in 2005 with 27 beats per minute.

Your Local Guardian:

Mr Green said the discovery was made after a routine 15-second ECG last year gave his GP cause for concern and he was asked to undertake a 24-hour ECG.

Under normal circumstances his slow heart rate would cause symptoms such as breathlessness, dizziness and fainting.

But he has none of these - something he puts down to his years as an endurance athlete and marathon runner - and has rejected an offer of a pacemaker.

Your Local Guardian:

A former physical training instructor he has kept fit since the age of 17 and still walks for an hour each morning.

In the past he has run three marathons, two triathlons and has lost count of how many half marathons.

Despite having evidence of his slow heartbeat he has decided not to challenge for the world title.

Mr Green said: "I did contact the GBWR but they set conditions impossible to achieve unless I had a well-heeled sponsor.

"I am content that the world record for the lowest recorded heart rate rests in Ewell and not Guernsey."

He emailed Mr Brady, the world record holder saying: "There is no way I can meet their difficult and changing conditions. I think I will leave you to enjoy your record."

Mr Brady replied: "It seems a shame that you don't get any recognition.

Your Local Guardian:

"I'm doing a small triathlon in eight weeks time as practice for a big triathlon in August next year the 10th anniversary of getting the record (it's to raise awareness for Guernsey chest and heart unit).

"I'm really out of shape, but will try anyway, feel free to join me."

Mr Green has decided ot decline the offer.