A paramedic who dragged a two-tonne vehicle for more than 3.5km has been officially recognised as a world record holder.

Ross Filby, 37, has received his certificate confirming he now holds the world record for an unassisted solo car pull.

In late November, the body-building paramedic swapped saving lives for a world record attempt and dragged an Audi A6 rapid response vehicle for 3,511 metres. The event raised £5,000 for the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS) where he has volunteered for six years.

After the challenge at the former RAF Coltishall, Mr Filby, from Costessey, said he would never do it again. 'It was really hard, a killer. My legs are dead and my back aches, but I'm going to have a bath and rest for a few days,' he said at the time.

The Guinness World Record rules allow 24 hours for completion of the record attempt, but Mr Filby took just four.

Beginning at 9.30am, he powered through to complete the monumental task by 1.30pm. He had been training for three months.

The extreme challenge was a bid to boost awareness of NARS and the group managed to secure sponsors as a result of the event, providing funding for the next four to five years.

Mr Filby said: 'Raising awareness is the most important thing because of all the work NARS does and because I work for the ambulance service, it's quite dear to my heart.

'A rapid response vehicle could turn up and help give the patient a better clinical outcome so it's a really worthwhile local charity.

'I thought I should endure a bit of pain for them.'

NARS volunteers carry specialist equipment designed to cope with the most challenging of medical emergencies to help patients in the most serious conditions.