A 2ft 4in circus performer has disputed claims he has been pipped to the post for the title of world's shortest man.

　　Hungarian Pitchu To'th, who is employed in Britain by Cottle & Austen Circus, believes he inherited the mantle in 1997 following the death of 1ft 10in Indian Gul Mohammed.

　　But the Guinness Book of Records states the world's smallest man is now "believed to be" a Jordanian, Younis Edwan, who measures 2ft 1.5in. Mr Edwan has not been proved to be the world's shortest man, however, because his height was measured only once, and record book rules state contenders must be measured three times in one day.

　　Pitchu, 35, said: "It may not seem like a big issue, but it is highly important to me that I am proved the rightful heir of this title."

　　John Haze, publicity manager for the circus, said: "We have tried to trace this guy in Jordan through our Middle East agents, and we have found no trace. We have found no evidence and no papers to prove he exists, and I would dispute that he does."

　　A spokeswoman for the Guinness Book of Records said: "We cannot be absolutely sure Mr Edwan is the world''s shortest man because he has only been measured once. We would urge Mr To''th to get in contact with us to make a claim, and if all the rules are followed we can make a judgement."

　　As part of his circus act, Pitchu, whose shoes are a children''s size four, stands on his head and drinks and eats upside down.