Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Scot Alex Lewis stunned spectators at the weekend after breaking his own All England Open Stone Skimming Championship record with a staggering 98m throw.

The 22-year-old from Helensburgh smashed the championship record of 95 metres, which he himself set last year.

Property developer Alex retained his crown at the National Trust Fell Foot Park on Lake Windermere in England's Lake District, despite an elbow injury.

Pensioner Ron Long, a former champion affectionately known as the Old Tosser, ended in third with 71 metres, behind second placed former winner, Kevin Waltham, who skimmed 74 metres.

Alex, who trains in the gym to build upper body strength and skims around 100 stones a week, said: “The 98-metre skim was a good one, but it tailed off at the end, just when I was hoping to make it a ‘Centurion’ skim.

“I’m pleased with it though and delighted to have set another record.”

After taking the title last year, Alex went on to compete in Japan, appeared on the Chris Evans radio show and featured in the EasyJet in-flight magazine.

He said: “You don’t need a horse, or special pole and vaulting equipment, or running shoes.

“You need nothing apart from stones and water.

“And everyone’s had a go at this sport, because what’s so great about skimming is its simplicity.”

Commenting on behalf of South Cumbria Rivers Trust, Julius Barratt, the announcer on the day, said: “The All England record has tumbled for three consecutive years now, with 88 metres thrown by Gareth Twamley in 2017, which was broken by Alex Lewis with his 95-metre skim last year and now exceeded again by Alex’s feat in breaking his own record by three metres.

“The athleticism of the top skimmers really is at another level these days and we have seen enormous change within the sport over the past 11 years.”

Alex hopes to win on home soil when the World Championships are

, Argyle & Bute, on September 29.