A battery-powered car developed by Stroud based Ecotricity has set a new UK electric land speed record, reaching speeds of 148mph at an airfield in North Yorkshire.

The specially modified Lotus Elige, dubbed Nemesis, broke the previous record of 137mph achieved by Don Wales - the grandson of racing supremo Sir Malcom Campbell - in 2000.

It was driven by Nick Ponting, 21, who first started racing go-karts at the age of 12.

Dale Vince, the founder of Ecotricity, said the car had been built to "stimulate thought and debate about how we'll be getting around when the world runs out of oil."

The Nemesis' record breaking success proved, he said, that "wind-powered cars are not just feasible, but can be a load of fun."