Europe's oldest stuntman is planning a special trick as a grand finale to his career next year.

Ron Cunningham, known as the Great Omani, is preparing for the stunt on his 87th birthday in July.

Omani, of Norfolk Street, Brighton, has performed magic, escapology and death-defying tricks for more than half a century.

He said: "I have walked on fire and on broken glass. This time I intend to set the bottles on fire and then jump on to them. This trick has never been done before and it is difficult but I am determined to do it."

Omani, who claims to have the fitness levels of a much younger man, described himself as semi-retired and wholly retarded.

He has also shown his serious side by contributing three poems to an anthology which will be published next year.

One of the poems is about Berwick Church near Alfriston, which was made famous by the Bloomsbury Set.

Omani has also written some doggerel about what will happen if he fails to complete the birthday stunt successfully.

It goes:

They've put Omani in his box.

They're using nails instead of locks.

But at his funeral don't disappear.

The chances are he won't be there.