An unusual world record has been broken at a city swimming pool.

Adam Lopez, a construction worker from Taverham, took on the monumental challenge of becoming the fastest man to run a mile underwater.

In front of cheering fans and adjudicators, Adam set a time of 35 minutes and 24 seconds as he "trudged" 64 lengths of Nuffield Health's 25-metre pool in Barrack Street on Tuesday.

Norwich Evening News: Adam Lopez, third from the right, with family at Nuffield Health on the day of his world record attemptAdam Lopez, third from the right, with family at Nuffield Health on the day of his world record attempt (Image: Adam Lopez)

The time set - which has been sent to Guinness World Records for confirmation - would break the record set by Zeyad Al Azzawi in Baghdad, Iraq, in April last year.

However, things got off to a slippery start, with the 37-year-old saying: "I jumped in the pool for a quick warm-up and when I started the official attempt my feet didn't have the same grip on the pool floor.

Norwich Evening News: Adam, 37, completed the mile in 35 minutes and 24 seconds which has been sent off to Guinness to validateAdam, 37, completed the mile in 35 minutes and 24 seconds which has been sent off to Guinness to validate (Image: Adam Lopez)

"So for the first 20 lengths, I was slipping. It felt like I was moving through sand - I couldn't believe it.

"I was so worried I was going to fail but I got a bit more traction and it felt really good - by the end I was crying my eyes out.

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"The average times over the four stopwatches has me beating the current world record by four and a half minutes.

Norwich Evening News: Adam is a construction worker from TaverhamAdam is a construction worker from Taverham (Image: Adam Lopez)

"It just needs to be validated by Guinness but I'm feeling pretty confident.

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"I've been surfing the adrenaline wave for the last two days and am now looking to take on Snowdon in six months and then, all being well, take on the London Marathon."

Norwich Evening News: Adam also raised £770 for four-year-old Grace Howe, pictured with her mum Rebecca, who are raising money for a hydrotherapy pool at their homeAdam also raised £770 for four-year-old Grace Howe, pictured with her mum Rebecca, who are raising money for a hydrotherapy pool at their home (Image: Adam Lopez)

In the process, Adam also raised £770 for four-year-old Grace Howes, whose mum works at Nuffield Health.

The Thorpe St Andrew family are trying to raise £40,000 for a hydrotherapy pool at their home, to help Grace cope with having spinal muscular atrophy.

Norwich Evening News: Adam says he's confident of his time and breaking the world recordAdam says he's confident of his time and breaking the world record (Image: Adam Lopez)