A MAN aims to break a Guinness World record with his organised group challenge to lift the weight of the Titanic in just one day.

Police officer, Peter Williams, 31, also hopes to raise up to £10,000 for charity Macmillan Cancer Support as a thanks for helping his father who is recovering from throat cancer.

The challenge on April 16, will take place at the Olympic Gym, Eccles, in Manchester, a well known gym in power-lifting circles and involve people from the Burnley area.

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Mr Williams, of Accrington Road, Burnley, who powerlifts as a hobby, said: "We are aiming to raise money for Macmillan Cancer and aiming to set a new World Record supported by the Guinness Book of Records.

"The gym is going to be set out with all different powerlifting bars so anyone and everyone can get involved.

"It sunk on April 15 but we are doing it on the 16 April. That was as close as we could. The Titanic's Hull weighed 24,360 tonnes. The challenge is to lift this in one day. "This huge task will need as many lifters as possible to complete.

" All we ask is come along and give at least one set of ten reps. You can give ten hours of reps or just the ten."

He added: "The more people involved the better. At the moment we've had 140 people donate already and commit to getting involved on the day.

"I myself will be doing it for the full ten hours. Some people are just doing a couple of sets. I train four or five times a week in between work but I don't compete in powerlifting."

He added that he wanted to give something back to Macmillan as a thank you for the help they gave his father John Williams, now 59.

Mr Williams senior has his final check up in March when he will be five years clear of cancer.

He added: "One of my main driving forces was a bit of a thank you to Macmillan. They really helped his recovery when my mum was caring for my dad."

Anyone who wants to get involved can visit the Facebook page, email raisingthetitanic@gmail.com or to donate visit justgiving.com/Raisingthetitanic/