AN OXFORDSHIRE firm claimed a world land speed record as one of its lawnmowers cut quite a dash on a Welsh beach.

Staff at Countax, in Great Haseley, near Wheatley, saw their unique petrol-driven Runningblade mower reach a speed of 87.833 mph to race into the record books.

The feat was watched by cheering crowds at Pendine Sands, with the previous record-holder from America there to see his three-year record of 80.792 mph torn up.

The super-fast lawnmower was ridden by Don Wales, who comes from a family of speed legends. He is the grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell, who broke the world land speed record in a car at the same venue in 1924.

Countax manufactures a range of ride-on mowers at its factory in Oxfordshire, producing more than 10,000 mowers annually.

The company has been manufacturing a range of machinery in Oxfordshire since 1982.

On Saturday night its mower cut to ribbons the old record with a speed of 86.069 mph.

But the land speed team returned to the sands on Sunday determined to extend the record further —and successfully set a new world record of 87.833 mph before the surface of the sand deteriorated, preventing any further attempts.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, vehicles must be made primarily of lawnmower parts and must still be able to cut grass..

Afterwards, Countax managing director Harry Handkammer said: “I’m very proud that we have taken the record.

“The team at Countax has worked so hard on the mower and it’s been a real pleasure to be here and share in the excitement.”

The red sit-on machine began by giving a demonstration of its grass-cutting ability to prove that it qualified as a lawnmower.

Challengers for the record must then drive over a measured mile in one direction and return within an hour.

Pendine Sands is a seven-mile beach on the shores of Carmarthen Bay and has been famous for world land speed record attempts since the 1920s, but never one like this.

The record breaking lawnmower was on display at the company’s headquarters this week on the Haseley Trading Estate. It was still covered in sand.

American Bob Cleveland set the previous land speed record on a lawnmower at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

He said: “I’m really pleased for all the guys at Countax. They’ve built a great mower.”

Asked whether he would be challenging the new world record, he said: “I will try. They have given me a new target.”

Mr Wales now holds nine UK land speed records, including the world record for a steam car, after riding one at 148mph last August.