Richard Armistead in full flightRichard Armistead in full flight
Richard Armistead in full flight

Blackpool Birdman - 9 pictures which remember the wackiest event of the 1990s

It couldn’t have been crazier – leaping off North Pier wearing costumes which ranged from Orville the Duck to Fred Flintstone, whilst trying to ‘fly’.

But they did it for several years and the Birdman competition became an annual event raising lots of money for charity. These pictures show the events of 1991 and 1994. They were competing for the World Birdman title and, as you would imagine, always drew a large crowd of spectators. They flung themselves from a platform 40ft above the water and the winner depended on how far they had ‘flown’.

It was all for a good causes though. Organised by Blackpool 18 Round Table, cash raised on these two occasions were donated to Blackpool mental health charity MIND and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Were you one of the entrants pictured? We would love to hear your memories of the day – drop us an email

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