A MARINE who had his legs blown off in a bomb blast in Afghanistan looks to have set a new world record for 'planche' press-ups.

Joe Townsend, from Eastbourne, managed 78 press-ups in a minute, with only his hands on the floor.

The impressive feat crushed a previous effort of 44 press-ups in a minute by a Georgian soldier.

The former trooper posted a video on his personal Facebook page on Sunday which has since been viewed more than188,000 times and shared more than 2,000 times on the social media website.

The war hero took a starring role in the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics in 2012 by descending into the Olympic Stadium by zip wire.

His efforts have come to the attention of Guinness World Records which is keen to verify the feat.

A spokesman said: “We’re aware of Joe’s incredible press ups video that he shared recently and we have reached out to Joe directly to get this verified as a possible Guinness World Records title.”

Mr Townsend was wounded in Afghanistan in 2008 after standing on an anti-tank mine which was buried just below ground.

He was immediately flown back to Camp Bastion and then onto Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, where he spent five weeks in a critical care ward.

Since 2008, Mr Townsend has been determined not to let his problems get the better of him and helped inspire the current generation of wounded by showing there really is life after injury.

He has competed in many endurance races including the Bolton Iron Man twice and various other triathlons.

In June 2012 Mr Townsend took on the world’s toughest cycling race, cycling more than 3,000 miles across America with seven other wounded servicemen in aid of the charity Help for Heroes.

Mr Townsend has been supported by Help for Heroes since he was first injured, enabling him to compete as an international athlete and paying for specialist equipment and competition entries.

His goal is take part in the Paralympic Games in Rio next year and is currently training in Doha.