A GROUP of teenagers are hoping to break the world endurance record for netball by playing a 56-hour match.

The netball squad at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School will attempt the feat next month, playing the equivalent of 40 back-to-back games.

Emma Gauntlet, from the Waterfoot school said: "The idea came largely from the headteacher, Marc Morris, whose previous school hockey team had broken the world endurance record.

Netball has a great tradition at BRGS, and the squad were enthusiastic about the challenge."

The Glen Road school netballers have reached the England Schools National Netball Finals for the past eight years and former pupil Rachel Henry plays for England under-19s.

Over the next five weeks the players, aged 14 to 18, will build up the sessions, playing for longer each time. During the challenge, from March 29 to 31, each player will be on court for three-and-a half hours, followed by a break for a maximum of 90 minutes, to ensure continuous play between the two teams.

Proceeds from the attempt will go to charities Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Each year group will help to collect sponsorship money, and a fund-raising website page has also been set up.

Ms Gauntlet said: "This is a whole school effort, and there'll be lots of people cheering the girls on during the match."

To sponsor the squad, visit www.justgiving.com/brgsnetball