A FORMER cancer patient who plans to fly round the world on his own, his hit turbulent times in his record-breaking bid.

The sky will eventually be the limit for action man Manuel Queiroz, who, after winning his battle against bowel cancer, wants to take on the solo challenge to repay those who saved his life.

But the 56-year-old has been forced to delay his 24,000-mile challenge because of conflict in the Middle East, while sponsorship has also been slow to take off.

The flamboyant flyer hopes to undertake his global challenge in September but fears Middle East tensions and lack of sponsorship could leave him grounded.

Wings

"I've had to put the flight back because of the recent war.

"I'm hoping the situation will have calmed down in time for the challenge," said Manuel, of Pirton, near Pershore.

"Lots of individuals have sponsored me to put their names on the plane's wings, but I'm hoping bigger businesses may come forward."

Mr Queiroz, who is no stranger to risky adventures, aims to raise at least £50,000 for Cancer Research when he takes off from Wolverhampton Business Airport in September.

He plans to cover the globe in 16 stages and aims to do it in less than 23 days.

He was in hospital having his appendix removed when a surgeon noticed symptoms that he thought looked like bowel cancer.

"By the sheer luck of having this routine operation I was able to be treated before it spread, and the help I received was absolutely marvellous," said Manuel, who runs his own car renovation business in Halesowen.

"Now I want to put money back to help others by raising funds for Cancer Research," he added.

The all-action hero's passion for speed and danger has already included rallying and flying microlights competitively.

Success for his Chasing the Morning Sun marathon will see him set a new record for an aircraft weighing between 500kg and 1000kg circumnavigating the globe in an easterly direction.

Corfu, Egypt, Dubai, Bombay, Burma, Hawaii and California are among the planned stages for his single-engine Van Grunsven RV6 aircraft. n Any firms or individuals wanting to sponsor Mr Queiroz can contact him on 01905 820806.