On April 1st 1979, a crack team from Oxford University's 'Dangerous Sports Club' organised what became the world's first 'bungy jump.'

Inspired by land divers of Pentecost in the South Pacific, David Kirk and his friends leapt from the 250-foot Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. They spelt the jump 'bungy' rather than 'bungee' - which has become the norm since.

'It was an easy-going recklessness, the insouciance of youth' said Kirk, to ITV News on the 40th anniversary.

Bungee jumping became a public order offence in many parts in the UK, and the sport was taken on and developed in New Zealand - where most people believe it originated.

This news report features footage of that first jump in 1979, a celebratory jump on the 21st birthday in 2000 and an extended interview with David Kirk.

News report copyright ITV News, featuring footage from 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous.'