A WORLD record attempt on banger-munching will be part of a Sausage and Cider Festival this Bank Holiday Weekend.

The three-day food and drink extravaganza is the brainwave of new landlords Darren and Sue Robinson of the Robin Hood pub in Silsden.

And the town's MP, pubs minister and sausage fan Kris Hopkins has called on its folk to join in the fun in aid of a good cause.

All monies raised will go to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Mrs Robinson said.

"We're really hoping people will come from all over as we're offering the very best sausages from all the local butchers plus some 30 ciders to try.

"People will be asked to make donations to the Air Ambulance if they take part in our Guinness World Record attempt to eat the most sausages in a minute, which takes place on Sunday afternoon at about 3pm."

To break that record, the successful sausage scoffer must eat more than eight sausages of 10cm length and 2cm in diameter in less than a minute.

"Plenty of our regulars say they could do that, but we'll see when it comes to it!" Mrs Robinson said.

"We will also be having a "Man v Sausage" event, like the Man V Food TV programme.

"And for that we're making our own sausages will be cooked with the hottest of chillies and spices and will be a real test of stamina."

And for those who want to simply enjoy the very best local produce, there will also be a huge range of traditional meaty fare to sample and judge against offerings from around the world.

"We will have taster sausages from the Silsden butchers, but also from Keighley, Skipton, Cowling, Steeton and Ilkley which people will be able to score them against sausages from around the world," Mrs Robinson said.

"I'm even going into Leeds to get sausages from South Africa, the Caribbean, France, Italy, everywhere."

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has just gained special responsibility for the licensed trade being named community pubs minister in the recent cabinet reshuffle and gave the Robin Hood's venture full support.

“This is a wonderfully novel way to get the local community in Silsden together to raise money for an excellent cause.

"I'm partial to the occasional sausage or two at breakfast, but I’m not sure I’m up to eating eight at a single sitting.

"However, I’m confident that there are enough committed volunteers in Silsden to ensure that the Guinness World Record goes on Sunday.

"It promises to be an excellent day and full credit to Sue Robinson and her team at The Robin Hood for their heroic efforts on behalf of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”