A NORTH-EAST stunt rider has beaten his own world record for travelling backwards on a motorbike.

But despite beating the 140mph barrier backwards, it is still not enough for Dave Coates, of Darlington.

The 35-year-old first took the title of the fastest man on two wheels, sitting backwards, when he hit 134.7mph in July last year.

The previous fastest time was 132mph.

But his need for speed was not satisfied with that, and he decided to try to break 140mph.

He has now done this, smashing the target and reaching a speed of 145.6mph at Elvington Airfield, near York, the scene of his previous triumph.

To complete the challenge he has to sit on the petrol tank with his controls behind him and in the wrong hand.

Dave, of Hartlea Avenue, said: "It is quite scary going that quickly and going backwards, because you can't see where you are going. I don't think I saw where I was going for about half-a-mile."

However, it is still not enough for the self-employed builder.

"I still want to go faster though, and next year I'll try for breaking 150mph backwards, but I'll need a different bike for that. This was as fast as my bike would go."

Dave completed his world record attempt on a 1,000cc Yamaha RI, in sixth gear. The bike was donated by the manufacturer.

He said: "I've been riding motorbikes since I was about 16, and it's become a bit of an obsession. I've been hooked on it ever since.

"It's a case of 'well I've done that now, now I want to go even faster'.

"My wife, Sandra, is very good, she's very understanding. She's behind me all the way."

Most of his summer weekends are taken up by giving riding demonstrations.

He said: "Maybe at my age I should be settling down, but I love doing this. I will probably do a couple of attempts a year and some shows throughout the year."