Dozens of contestants in the wacky International Bognor Birdman competition launched themselves over the English Channel in a bid to fly into the record books.

Men and women wearing wings and flying machines of all shapes and sizes vied for the chance to win the £25,000 prize for propelling themselves 100 metres from Bognor Pier.

But the jackpot prize remained unclaimed again this year.

The event took place over the weekend with heats on Saturday to compete for pole position yesterday.

The Kingfisher class, the fancy dress crowd-puller that raises large amounts for charity, remained one of the most popular parts of the show.

Some of the whackier entries included a man in a giant batsuit, Emma the Emu, a chicken and some flatulent fairies.

The winner of the class was Steven Bond who flew dressed as a giant puffin.

Birdman veteran Ron "Bald Eagle" Freeman, from Northumberland, won the prize for getting the furthest.

Mr Freeman's six-year reign was broken last year by newcomer Tony Hughes, from Marlborough, who flew 82.5 metres, breaking the Eagle's lifetime best of 81 metres.

But the tables were turned yesterday when Mr Freeman, a former world hangliding champion, flew 77.6 metres, while Andrew Bill made 71.2 metres and Tony Hughes came third with 68.8 metres.

Jim Brooks, of the International Bognor Birdman Trust, said: "Saturday was like pole position in Formula 1. It was very much the serious players on Sunday.

"There was a westerly wind of about ten to 12 knots which is the conditions they like.

"However, conditions must be perfect for a serious jackpot attempt."

Mr Brooks said the good weather pulled in the crowds.

He said: "It was a lovely day with some very good flights and thousands of people all enjoying the show.

"There was a giant screen so everyone could watch the flights."

It was a truly international event with Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan all represented.

The 1992 record of 89.2 metres, held by student David Bradshaw, still holds.

David Moore flew from Middleton, Connecticut, to enter the Leonardo da Vinci class for the most unique craft design with a first prize of £250.

Other competitors included former airport worker James Nugent, from Hurstpierpoint, in a contraption called Carry On Up The Khyber.

Arun District Council, which organised Birdman for nine years, was obliged to pull out of this year's event because of budget cuts.

A group of enthusiasts headed by Barry Jones and Jim Brooks formed a trust to run the event with the help of several patrons, including Sir Richard Branson, who entered the competition in 2003, and astronomer Sir Patrick Moore.