A French pilot's madcap bid to become the first to cross the Channel in a pedal-powered airship has failed.

Stephane Rousson took off from Hythe just after 8am Sunday.

But he had to abort the bid less than 11 miles from France, after being hampered by a change in wind direction.

His daring attempt came just days after Swiss pilot Yves Rossy became the first person ever to cross the Channel with only a single jet-propelled wing strapped to his back.

• 'Jet Man' enters the record books >>>

But M Rousson needed clear weather conditions to make the hazardous trip, protected only by suntan lotion and sunglasses.

The 39-year-old had already aborted several attempts to make the crossing in his helium-filled machine this summer.

He claims to be inspired by the film ET.