A vicar calling himself a ‘Heaven’s Angel’ has reached speeds of more than 114mph in an attempt to set the inaugural world record for a motorcycle hearse.

The Reverend Ray Biddiss, 57, had to reach a speed of more than 80mph at Elvington Airfield, York, in his specially built ‘trike-hearse’ to be recognised by Guinness World Records.

The former Low Moor clergyman hit 114.1mph in The Rocket, which he uses for real funeral services around the Bradford district.

He said he reached the breakneck speeds “on a wing and a prayer”, following the two-mile route under the watchful eye of officials.

Witness statements, video footage, photography and timed results measuring accuracy to within 1,000th of a second will now be analysed by Guinness over three days, before he can be announced an official record holder.

Mr Biddiss said: “It was exhilarating! Anything over 80mph would set a record but I wanted to aim high.”

The results will be announced on Wednesday, May 18. If successful, Mr Biddiss will go down in history as setting the title ‘fastest motorcycle hearse in the world’.

The Rocket is a Triumph Rocket III with a 2.3-litre, three-cylinder engine built by Liversedge-based DTB Panther Trikes.

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