US man rides ferris wheel for two days

A man has taken on the bizarre challenge of riding a ferris wheel for longer than anyone ever has before, and ultimately succeeded after he stayed on board for two whole days.

Clinton Shepherd, who is the manager of the Navy Pier in Chicago, completed 48 hours, eight minutes and 25 seconds in one of the capsules on the wheel.

He later described it as "a very overwhelming experience" that had required plenty of support from his family, friends and colleagues in Chicago.

Guinness World Records permitted Mr Shepherd to have a five-minute break for every hour he was on the ferris wheel.

The record breaker chose to stay awake throughout the entire challenge and used videogames and James Bond movies to help keep his eyes open.

Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel said the challenge had helped to mark out the Navy Pier as the number one tourist attraction in the Midwest region.