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Inventor Franky Zapata set to fly over Channel on jet-powered flyboard

French inventor Franky Zapata says he will have a "50% chance of success" when he attempts to cross the Channel on his flyboard later today.

The 40-year-old military reservist plans to fly from Sangatte, near Calais, to St Margaret's Bay near Dover in around 20 minutes.

His invention won global acclaim when he flew over the country's Bastille Day celebrations in Paris on 14 July, with French President Emmanuel Macron later tweeting a video of his exploits.

"I feel great and I'm looking forward to this incredible aviation challenge," said Mr Zapata as he practised on a remote airfield outside Calais.

"The biggest obstacle is me, my body, what's between my head and my feet. I have absolute confidence in the technology.

"It's going to be tough and I would say at the moment I have a 50% chance of success. Let's see what happens. The feeling of flying on the flyboard is just amazing."

The board has five mini engines underneath and is powered by 36kg of kerosene, which Mr Zapata carries in a rucksack.

It is capable of hitting speeds of nearly 87mph, though each rucksack only lasts 10 minutes so he will have to refuel halfway.

He will hover between 10m (33ft) and 20m (66ft) above the sea as he flies from France to England.

The attempt to cross the Channel will mark the 110th anniversary of Louis Bleriot making the first solo flight across in 1909.

"I'm immensely proud to be following in the footsteps of Bleriot," added Mr Zapata, who is often called the "Green Goblin".

"It's a dream for me because when I was 14 years old I wanted to be a helicopter pilot but then I found out I was colour blind so I couldn't."

The inventor has been given a grant of more than £1m from the French government to develop the technology behind his flying hoverboard.

He hopes to launch from a beach near Sangatte, weather permitting.