I NATURALLY warm to Guy Martin.

It's partly down to us both coming from Grimsby, but also to do with his persona. Hes just an ordinary bloke who happens to do extraordinary things.

In his latest Channel Four series, Speed with Guy Martin, the motorcycle racer sets himself four challenges - to become Britain's fastest cyclist, to pilot a plane using only the power in his legs, to become the first to set a hydroplaning bike world record and to ride the world's fastest gravity-powered sled.

It was riveting television, not least because of the science behind it.

However, while much was explained for the man in the street - at times I think I might have understood more than the star of the show - there were occasions when I was left utterly baffled.

This is where the book comes in.

Written by Martin, as opposed to just using him as a front, it gives greater insight into just what it took to do the things he did.

Graphics complement the words and, combined with some fabulous photographs, ensure that by the end of it you've not only been entertained, but you've learned something into the bargain, and at the age of 42 that's no small achievement.

Matt Westcott