An 80-year-old mountain climber has broken a British record for shot put twice. 

Clifford Taylor, of Manor Road in Mitcham, competed in the British Masters Athletic Federation throws pentathlon last month breaking the British shotput record in his age category turning 80 earlier this year.

Competitors took part in five events including javelin, hammer, discus, heavy weights and shotput with Mr Taylor throwing 9.22m, breaking the previous record of 8.92m.

Just a few weeks later, Mr Taylor broke his own record throwing 9.24m.

On securing his new record he said: "I am very pleased.
"I have been training for about a year waiting to turn 80 and making sure my standard remained high.
"I have broken the shotput record about four or five times in different age groups.
"When I was 70 I threw 11.34m and that's the furthest I have ever thrown it.
"I got the British record again at 75 with 10.4m."

Not one to let age slow him down, Mr Taylor scaled the Himalayas alone earlier this year and is now believed to be the oldest person ever to have climbed to the 17,000ft Thorong La Pass.

He said: "I've always been very health conscious and started weight training when I was 16 and I have done rock climbing and mountaineering.
"But now I just use the gym and the track to keep fit.
"Today I have been for a run and I have done some bench presses and had a work out in the gym but shot put is my main discipline."

Mr Taylor was due to take part in a decathlon later this week.