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Kent is a record breaker in the Guinness Book of Records

A Kent woman who was the first to ski solo across Antarctica - while pulling two sledges - has earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

The book, out today, honours Felicity Aston who, at the age of 34 last year, launched on a 1,744km journey across the frozen continent.

Starting at Ronne ice shelf's Hercules Inlet, Felicity, of Birchington, completed her epic journey in just 59 days.

Felicity dressed for sub-zero temperatures
Felicity dressed for sub-zero temperatures

But the amazing feat wasn't Kent's only entry - the county can also boast the world's heaviest blueberry and the highest playing card ever thrown.

Speaking about her entry, Felicity said: "It’ a hallmark that you’ve done something special and pushed the boundaries.

"It’s lovely to feel I’m representing Kent in some way."

The adventurer now has plans to make a trip to the coldest inhabited place in the world, the Pole of Cold in Siberia, along withphotographer Manu Palomeque from Maidstone at the end of the year.

The county's other claims to fame include the heaviest blueberry, grown in Poland, on behalf of Winterwood Farms Limited in Maidstone.

The fruit grew to a weight of 11.28g in August 2008, compared to the average weight of 0.67g.

The record for the highest throw of a playing card at 42ft was set at the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells.

Felicity Aston in the Antarctic wilderness
Felicity Aston in the Antarctic wilderness

The card was thrown up on the set of children’s TV show ‘Officially Amazing’ in November last year.

Kent also holds the record for the most concrete blocks broken on a bed of nails in one minute.

It involved eight blocks being placed one at a time on the stomach of daredevil diva Danielle Martin, also known as Daniella D'Ville of Dartford.

It involved her lying on the bed of nails at London’s Wonderland in September 2012.

Each Thermalite Shield block weighed an average of 5.8kg and was struck with a 6.35kg sledgehammer.

Our county is one of 49 towns and cities across the UK to be featured in the wacky world of setting records.

Others across the country include the fastest crossing of a tightrope by a dog, courtesy of Norfolk, and the fastest dining set, a triumph hailing from Bedfordshire.

Guinness World Records first published the best-selling book in 1955. To date, it has sold over 120 million copies in more than 100 countries.


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