A former soldier has dragged himself into the record books by pulling a car a staggering 36 miles.

Strongman Matt Cooper, 30, hauled a one-tonne Kia Picanto continuously 145 times around a 400m cycle track.

He took an exhausting 60 hours to smash the previous record of the longest ever car pull by four miles when he crossed the finish line.

Matt, who is 5ft 9ins tall and weighs 17st, trained for his mammoth record attempt by pulling cars around his local supermarket car park.

He completed his record attempt at the Tiddington Home Guard Club in Warwickshire last Saturday (September 7).

Matt, a digger driver from Banbury, said: "We started four hours earlier than planned to make the most of the cooler temperatures but it was still very hot.

"When I finished I felt relieved, hot and overwhelmed.

"I was thinking it would be a small affair, with just family and friends but it was massive.

advertisement

"The challenge picked up a lot of interest. It was a bit overwhelming."

His incredible feat raised more than £3,000 for Beat, a charity helping people with eat disorders (image via SWNS)

He added: "I only took short breaks for a quick rest water and to fuel up on more food.

"I was absolutely terrified, nervous but excited about the challenge."

Matt had set out to break three world records: the fastest marathon distance pulling a car, the first to complete a double marathon pulling a vehicle, and the longest distance to ever pull a car.

Due to the extreme heatwave which saw temperatures soar to 29C, Matt was only able to break the longest distance record.

His incredible feat raised more than £3,000 for Beat, a charity helping people with eat disorders.

To build up strength, he also ate up to 5,000 calories a day as he bulked on muscle with four-hour daily gym sessions (image via SWNS)

advertisement

Matt added: "This is a charity very close to me. I had severe body dysmorphia which is that you think you look a certain way in the mirror, but you really don't.

"I have also had friends and family who suffered from eating disorders."

Matt trained for his record bid by dragging cars around a supermarket carpark.

To build up strength, he also ate up to 5,000 calories a day as he bulked on muscle with four-hour daily gym sessions.

The former communications system operator for the Royal Signals added: "I started off moderately with my training and eating and it progressed as I got closer to the challenge.

"My family thought I was crazy for going ahead with it, but they have always thought I am a little crazy."

Matt is now waiting for Guinness World Records to officially confirm his record.