Sportsmen hoping to break a world record by playing cricket continuously for 59 hours are now appealing for sponsors for players.

Blunham Cricket Club is hoping to break the record during a fundraising event being held in September.

And members hope to raise the money needed for a pavilion extension and interior refurbishment.

The attempted record breaker is due to run from 9am on Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21, and the club hopes to beat the world record, which is currently held by a club in Kent that played for 35 hours.

Blunham Cricket Club will play for 59 hours continuously, with tents being set up on the field so that they can take it in turn to sleep during the night.

And a website has now been set up at www.blunhamcc.20m.com/record
where regular updates about the team and the event will be posted. There is also the opportunity to sponsor individual players along

Organiser and team player Neil Wildon said: "We need to raise about £40,000 for our extension plans and we were looking for innovative fundraising ideas.

"So we came up with this idea as a way of raising the money and we thought it would be great to try and break a world record at the same time."

The club is also planning to put up floodlights so that the team, comprising 11 players on each side and two reserves, can play throughout the night.

Mr Wildon added: "All the players are very excited about it, it certainly won't be a problem getting them motivated. But we still need to pick the teams, so we will judge that on who has done most for the club probably.

"But they all want to be involved so it won't be hard getting people on the teams."

To officially break the record the event must have two witnesses at all times, two medical staff, somebody monitoring a stopwatch clock, a video must be taken, as well as photographs of the event.

Mr Wildon said: "I think the toughest time for them will be in the evening because they will all be tired.

"Apparently one of the players in the Kent club broke his eye socket because he just didn't see the ball coming."

The club is now looking for people to come forward to sponsor the club. Anyone interested can call Neil on 07740 490994 or email Neil.Wildon@cedesa.co.uk

Alternatively visit the club's website by clicking here.