Once a year the people of Eastbourne go crazy for winged men dressed in outlandish outfits who propel themselves into the sea for fun.

More than 3,000 spectators thronged the seafront under leaden clouds yesterday to witness ten would-be aviators hurl themselves from a 40ft ramp off Eastbourne Pier.

Some contestants in the eighth Eastbourne Birdman contest, including lawyer Kevin Lever, 32, wearing a Thunderbird outfit, plunged into the waters having barely stayed aloft for a few seconds.

Others, like reigning Bognor Birdman winner Ron Freeman, skimmed the waters as they were willed on by crowds who turned out following last week's postponement due to high winds.

Hang-gliding instructor Mr Freeman, 45, from Northumberland, eclipsed last year's top distance of 21m by cruising more than 55m in his first attempt at the Eastbourne Birdman.

His £1,500 craft, with a 30ft wing-span, smashed the overall distance record of 35m in a strong head wind and he walked away with the £1,000 top prize.

Mr Freeman said: "You cannot beat the thrill of flying off the end of the pier with thousands of spectators looking on. Just taking part is fun but the thrill and adrenaline rush is incredible."

Mr Freeman overturned the record set earlier by David Bradshaw, 28, who flew 47m in a 20-year-old vintage hang-glider weighing 60lb.

Others who fared not so well included a removals expert called John Fly from Eastbourne. He managed just eight metres in the outfit he had crafted himself.

He said: "I had three pints beforehand to steady my nerves but I looked down and got the shakes. The next thing I knew I was being picked up by the RNLI."

Mr Fly, 38, who raised money for the Cancer Research Fund, said: "That's what I'm here for."

He returned to the bar as university student Nathan Sykes, 21, took to the platform on a £300 Marin mountain bike while dressed as a bird.

London-based designer Patrick Laing, 25, flew 14m on an extravagant looking creation made from old plumbing equipment. He said: "It's cheap, fast and clean."

Sales adviser Hugh Kerrigan, 26, from Old Town, Eastbourne, had the help of two leggy beauties as he prepared to jump with cardboard rocket launchers on his back.

Organiser Cassie Philip said: "There were a few nerve-jangling moments when I saw it belting down earlier but the conditions picked up and were just about right.

"It has all gone very well."