ATROCIOUS weather conditions in the Pacific have left a courageous pilot's record breaking dreams in tatters.

Manuel Queiroz from Pirton, near Pershore, has spent the last week in Hawaii having to wait patiently for the bad weather to pass, before he can move on to San Jose in California.

Yesterday was the 23rd day of his excursion and unfortunately for Manuel that spelt the end of his chances of breaking the round the world record he had set out to achieve.

He arrived in Hawaii on Tuesday, March 14 in fine weather and had no idea about the set of circumstances that he would encounter in the next seven days. Persistent heavy rain has meant that he has had to spend the week on the island, which might not sound too bad to some, but it is not ideal when you are trying to break a world record.

It is hoped that the poor conditions will come to an end soon and Manuel will be able to set off on his trip again, aiming to get home, early next week.

Although he can no longer break the record, he is staying positive and sees just completing the journey as an achievement in itself.

His wife Jill said: "He was hoping to break the world record and it's a shame he hasn't, but his real aim was to fly solo around the World in his aircraft which he is still doing.

"Getting in contact with him has been difficult, especially when he was in the more remote parts of the World, but I spoke to him on Monday and he has e-mailed us some wonderful photographs."

The record aside, Manuel was taking on the trip to raise money for Cancer research UK, the charity that helped to save his life when he was struck down with the disease six years ago.