An Army helicopter pilot set off today on his record-breaking attempt to become the first person to fly around the world in an open-cockpit gyroplane.

Warrant Officer Barry Jones, 37, aims to set a world record when he flies more than 25,000 miles across 25 countries in three and a half months.

The aircraft is similar to the one made famous in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, in which Sean Connery flew an autogyro called Little Nellie.

If WO Jones succeeds, he will also have set the record for flying the lightest aircraft to circumnavigate the globe.

Clear skies enabled WO Jones to set off from the Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, this morning after a previous attempt was called off last week because of bad weather.

His take-off was accompanied by a fleet of six Army helicopters which flew in synchrony to salute the start of WO Jones's expedition.

The father of three plans to fly his aircraft, Global Eagle, around Europe, the Middle East and Asia, returning to Hampshire in time for the international air show in July.

Explaining his reason for embarking on the trip, which has taken two years to prepare, WO Jones said today: ''It's the adventure. This is a great opportunity to see everything you saw as a child on television, to experience all the environments of the world.

''When I am an old man I can sit back and bore people about the trip and I will know I have gone out and lived my life.''

WO Jones admitted that he was nervous at the prospect of the trip during which he will be flying solo, only to be met at certain places by his support team.

He said: ''I would be lying to say I wasn't nervous. I know I will be experiencing the full range of emotions, from euphoria to loneliness, the highs and the lows.

''But my main concerns when I stop each day will be for fuel, food and accommodation, in that order.

''I know it won't go smoothly, nothing ever does, but that's part of the adventure.''

Wishing WO Jones luck, the director of Army aviation, Brigadier Richard Folkes, said: ''Disraeli said that adventure was for the adventurous and certainly Mr Jones and his team fall into that category. for those who have seen the aircraft and the route it is going to fly will know it's a huge challenge ahead of them.''

The world record attempt, which will involve 80 flying days spread over 120 days, was originally due to take place last year but was postponed due to the Gulf War and the Sars virus.

WO Jones, who usually flies Lynx helicopters with 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at Dishforth, North Yorkshire, has already broken the world record for continuous flight in an open-cockpit gyroplane.

He flew 584 miles from Culdrose in Cornwall to Wick, Caithness, in a time of seven hours and 23 minutes in February 2003.

The previous record of 543 miles was held by retired Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who starred in You Only Live Twice, flying an autogyro.

A gyroplane is an aircraft which is powered forwards by an engine, causing air to pass through overhead rotating blades which create lift.

It can fly at altitudes of up to 10,000ft, has a maximum speed of about 120mph and cruises at around 90mph.

The solo record bid is costing £200,000, which will be raised through donations and sponsorship, and WO Jones also hopes to raise money for the Dyslexia Foundation, the NSPCC and the Red Cross September 11 Appeal.

For more information about the round-the-world attempt visit www.globaleagle.co.uk.