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A Colombian who is just over 2ft tall has been officially recognised as the world's shortest living man by the Guinness World Records.

Edward Nino Hernandez, measuring 27in (70cm), is slightly taller than a piece of carry-on luggage and weighs 22lb (10kg).

"He hasn't grown since he was two years old," his mother Noemi Hernandez said.

The previous titleholder was China's He Pingping, who was 1.5in (4cm) taller than the Colombian and died on March 13.

In a recent interview, 24-year-old Nino said about his height: "I feel happy because I'm unique," but added "it bothers me that people are (always) touching me and picking me up".

According to Ms Hernandez, doctors could not explain why her son is so small. "They never gave us a diagnosis," she said.

Nino comes from Bosa, a mostly poor district of southern Bogota, and loves to dance, dreams of owning a car and wants to see the world.

The record holder also said he has an 18-year-old girlfriend called Fanny, who is less than 5ft tall.

But Nino does have his problems - he suffers from cataracts in both of his eyes that blur his vision and require surgery.

His mother said: "He doesn't see well. He isn't able to read".

Nino also had to repeat several years of school before dropping out.

The world's shortest man has earned some cash dancing at department stores and is now acting in a film in which he plays a pint-sized drug thug.

But the Guinness World Records believe Nino's reign is not likely to last long.

Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal, the world's shortest teenager, measures about 22in (56cm) and turns 18 on October 14.