An amateur pilot is being frustrated in his attempt to become the first man to cross the English Channel in a pedal-powered airship.

Frenchman Stephane Rousson, 39, had hoped to make the journey from Lydd Airport to coastal village Wissant in France in his helium filled machine on Wednesday and again on Thursday but was halted by bad weather conditions.

He has now postponed his attempt yet again because of high winds and hopes to make his flight sometime between June 9 and June 18.

He has also decided to change the venue for his take off to Dungeness beach where he thinks wind conditions will be more favourable.

Mr Rousson said: “There are tide problems, wind problems and convection problems. “We also have the problem of the sunrise because the sun heats the gas in the balloon.

“I am still in high spirits though because I expected these difficulties.

“I will only be upset if I cannot make an attempt between June 9 and June 18.”

On his journey Mr Rousson will travel just 100ft above water in his craft Zeppy which is slightly heavier than air and has two tilting propellers powered from his seat.

Mr Rousson has spent five years preparing for his 34-mile trip in his blimp which is 16 metres long and five metres high.

An airport spokesman said: “The attempt to cross the channel is very dependent on perfect weather conditions

“The wind needs to be 5mph or less and unfortunately the prevailing wind has prevented the flight from taking place.”