An ex-army officer believes he has set a new world record after spending 24 hours in stocks to raise money for children who have lost parents in the services.

Nigel Potter raised £800 over the weekend after completing the outdoors feat for the Forces Children’s Trust, based in Shawley Way, Epsom Downs.

The trust helps children whose mother or father has died or sustained life-threatening injuries while serving in the armed forces.

Mr Potter, of Birmingham, who served for 15 years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was inspired to support the charity after Sergeant Simon Valentine, 29, who he served with, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

The 37-year-old, who completed the challenge at The Royal British Legion in Chelmsley Wood, in Birmingham, watched by hundreds of supporters, said: "I spent 24 hours and 2 minutes in the stocks, without any breaks at all - and that includes toilet breaks.

"I got in touch with the Guinness Book of Records afterwards who said that they think I have a set a new world record.  Now I need to send them evidence and witness statements to verify it.

"It was painful and uncomfortable - now I know why stocks were used for punishment.  There were times I wanted to leave, but I didn’t and it went perfectly. 

"But it was more of a mental challenge.  I kept saying to myself ‘just remember why you’re doing this’."

To make a donation visit www.justgiving/potterspotter or www.forceschildrenstrust.org