Needham Market: Andy Northcote to break Guinness Wold Record

Andy Northcote, of Needham Market, will take on the challenge of batting continuously for 52 hours in August.

The previous record is held by someone from Nagpur in India, who batted for 50 hours, 4 minutes and 17 seconds.

To make the challenge possible, rules set mean that Mr Northcote will bat for 60 minutes to every five minutes off.

Andy Northcote will attempt the Guinness World Record at Woolpit Cricket Club. Credit: Andy Northcote (Image: Andy Northcote)

The 40-year-old, originally from South Africa, said: "For me, the biggest challenge will be on the mental side of it.

"Physically, I will be there, I am training hard with a gym and a personal trainer.

"Mentally though, batting in a net is wonderful for 30 to 40 minutes at a time, but then becomes very tedious very quickly, so I need to think how I am going to combat that.

Andy Northcote at the Paris Marathon as part of his 481 challenge. Credit: Andy Northcote (Image: Andy Northcote)

"Also need to think of how to tackle fatigue, I get moody after 12 hours without sleep, so what will I be like after that amount of time with little or no sleep.

"I am excited though, I am loving the whole process of training and researching it all, but the thing that excites me the most is the am I going to finish it question.

"It's something that has never been done before that length of time, so you just never know."

This challenge forms part of a 481 challenge Mr Northcote has been undertaking, which is four challenges in eight months for one charity.

Andy with his son Teddy for one of his miles. Credit: Andy Northcote (Image: Andy Northcote)

So far, he has done one mile a day for 400 days, the Cambridge half-marathon and the Paris marathon, all in aid of Suffolk Mind.

He has a target of £5,000.

The challenge, which is going to be running at Woolpit Cricket Club from August 22-24, will require helpers, those that want to bowl for 30 minutes, support crew, or help in the activity zone for younger people.

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Andy Northcote batting. Credit: Andy Northcote (Image: Andy Northcote)