THEY are one of the enduring images of suburbia.

Lawnmowers trundling over neatly kept gardens, filling the air with the pleasing scent of freshly cut grass.

But petrolheads from Hampshire have their own high-octane plans for the humble piece of garden machinery – they are planning to drive one at more than 100mph.

A team based at Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum is aiming to smash the world land speed record for a sit-on mower, which was set at 80mph by American Bob Cleveland in 2006.

To beat the benchmark, the British-made machine would need to rattle along at a staggering 147ft a second.

The Runningblade project has been a year in the making with aerodynamics experts drafted in to boost the chances of success.

Don Wales, nephew of the late multiple world speed record holder Donald Campbell, has been signed up to drive the contraption fresh from his success as part of the Lymington-based team who broke the land speed record for a steam powered car earlier this year.

The 49-year-old, said: “I have no doubt this is the machine to do the job.

“The challenge will be to keep this thing on the sand because at 100mph you have got aerodynamic lift starting to creep in and if you hit any bumps or ruts it is going to be a very bumpy ride so I will have to be careful.

“I wouldn’t advise anyone to go down the road as fast as they can on their lawnmower. This is a very unique project – very humorous content but a very serious attempt. You have to treat it carefully.”

Runningblade team leader Stephen Vokins has described the challenge as “mad, bad, and slightly dangerous”.

He said: “The Americans threw down the gauntlet and I believe that, with British brains, ingenuity, and the team of experts I have behind me, I can beat that speed handsomely and bring the record to Britain.”

The record attempt will take place on the beach at Pendine Sands, Wales, in February.

Under the rules of the record bid, the mower must be capable of mowing grass on the day.

However, the cutting device will be removed for safety reasons before the speed challenge gets under way.

Propelled by a 26bhp Kawasaki engine but running on road tyres, it is hoped the mower will go through the measured mile in just 36 seconds.

Besides the prestige of creating the fastest mower on earth, the project has the duel aim of raising cash for two charities – Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and Wessex Heartbeat both important to Mr Vokins who has suffered from heart problems since a child.

Mr Vokins added: “this is no collection of blokes standing around in a shed wondering what to do until the pub opens.

“This is a hand-picked team of professionals and experts in their fields, all bringing their knowledge and experience to achieve something no one has ever done before – to crack the ton on a ride-on lawnmower.”