Horley town and borough councillor David Powell is due to make a bid to enter the record books next Monday (June 16) as the oldest person to skydive from 30,000 feet.

Coun Powell is due to make his jump over West Tennessee in the USA. At the age of 78, he will smash the current record set in 2012 by eight years. Coun Powell, who is town councillor for Horley Central Ward and Reigate and Banstead borough councillor for Horley West, a former co-founder and managing director of a waste management company, and regimental sergeant major in the Royal Military Police (RMP), is hoping his tandem skydive will raise £5,000 for the Royal British Legion (RBL). He is a member of the RBL's Outwood branch.

Further, Coun Powell, who is also a school governor for Horley Infants School, is making his record bid to mark the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.

Dame Judi Dench, who lives in the area and famously played M in a number of James Bond blockbusters, has called him her hero, and donated £500 to his cause. People can sponsor his jump by completing a sponsor form at Horley Town Council's offices at 92 Albert Road, Horley, or can give a donation online by visiting Coun Powell's 'Just Giving' webpage at: www.justgiving.com/david-percy-powell-rmp