Opening the door of the shed the cushion was lying as I left it on the floor, it's glue curing to full strength. Waiting.

With tremulous hands I fed the tape measure over it and what joy! It is a fine 184cm in diameter, which is over the 10 times larger required by the Guinness Book of Records.

But would it work or would air leak out from every seam.

I stuffed the hair dryer into it's toot and switched it on. The cushion inflated quite quickly and certainly looked the part, quivering with expectancy.

And no leaks. Huzzah.

There was nothing for it but. Phil and I tried to sit on it.

We managed to get some of the air out with a gutteral splutter but it was obviously a job for a team of people.

However it does look like we have done it.

Now we need to arrange the record attempt.