GRANDAD Tom Lackey might have had to cut short his wingwalk due to adverse weather conditions at the opening of theAir Festival - but he said it was a “refreshing” experience - despite being a “bit wobbly”.

Tom, who is fast approaching “middle age”, said he was honoured to perform in front of thousands of people at yesterday's grand opening.

But it was touch-and-go whether the stunt would take place as the rain came pouring down yesterday morning.

Asked if he was scared, the retired builder, who uses a wheelchair when he's on land, said: “Yes but I have complete faith in the pilot that's flying that aircraft so really I just know I'm going to be fine.”

Mr Lackey started wing-walking in 2000 following the death of his wife of 56 years, Isobel.

The father-of-two, who had a stroke in 2004, is the oldest person to do a loop-the-loop on a wing - a record he set at the age of 85 - and has no less than eight Guinness World records to his name.

Hoping to inspire other stroke sufferers to stay active and try new things he said: “I have got eight Guinness World Records since having a stroke. You simply cannot ever ever give up”, he said.

In 2013, the pensioner went from Castle Kennedy in Scotland to Londonderry in Northern Ireland - a total flight time on the wing of one hour and 21 minutes.

And in May this year, he went from Land's End to the Scilly Isles across 30 miles of water to celebrate his 94th birthday.

Mike Dentith, Tom's pilot, has been flying with the plucky pensioner since his first wing-walk 14 years ago.

He said: “The reason I don't worry is because his attitude is so positive that it keeps him going. It gives him something for him to look forward to.”

“He's an inspiration to people of younger years than 94.”