A bit over the top! Dad builds a 360° swing

WANTING to impress his three-yearold son, Colin Furze decided to build a swing in the garden.

The enthusiastic father set about designing a frame, and made sure there was something for riders to hold on to.

Unfortunately for his little boy Jake, however, the 36-year-old ended up constructing a ‘toy’ which takes riders 33ft high – and travels a full 360 degrees.

The swing’s size – and the fact that it goes upside down – means that it is simply far too dangerous for Jake (pictured with his father) to use. But Mr Furze insists his son ‘thinks it looks really cool’, while simply riding on it himself.

A 55lb drum of water on one end of the axle off-sets Mr Furze’s weight, allowing him to go all the way round and higher than the family home in Stamford, Lincolnshire. It is believed to be the only 360-degree swing in the UK.

The eccentric inventor – who wears a tie but no helmet to ride the contraption – said: ‘I put my feet between two pegs and hold on to the handle bars, then swing in the normal way.

‘Once I get horizontal I have to lean my body forwards to propel myself over the top of the frame. I was a bit nervous at first, especially as I’m not strapped in and only holding on with my arms, but it is great fun.

‘It is quite physically demanding and it makes me feel sick if I go round too many times. Luckily the counter weight works well, which makes it easier to swing.’

Mr Furze, who also has a oneyear-old daughter, also had to build a winch to pull the central axle into place on the 18ft frame. The metal structure spans the width of the lawn, to spread the weight and ensure stability as it rotates.

He added: ‘I had to make some adjustments to the height of the swing so the frame wouldn’t bend, but it was fairly easy to build.

‘Jake absolutely loves swings, but unfortunately this one is too big for him.’

The father, who used to be a plumber, is renowned for the inventions he makes in his garage – including magnetic shoes, which helped him hang upside down from the ceiling.

The self-taught engineer, who posts popular videos on the internet, has also made a hover bike and a jet-powered bicycle.

In 2013, he was awarded the Guinness World Record for the fastest pram. The machine was powered by a motorcycle engine and could reach up to 50mph.

It was controlled by an adult standing on a scooter-like plate attached to the rear.