HERE'S your chance to make history by attempting to beat one of the world's oldest sporting records?

The Greatest Throw On Earth marks the bid by The Northern Echo and Durham County Cricket Club to beat the record for throwing a cricket ball.

The record stands at 140yds 2ft (128.6 metres) and dates back to Easter 1882. The amazing feat was acheived by Robert Percival, at Durham Sands racecourse.

So it is fitting that the latest bid to beat his record will be made under floodlights at the Riverside ground, the picturesque home of Durham County Cricket Club.

Anyone who holds the world record at the end of the competition will win £5,000. A series of heats will be held during the tea interval at Durham's home Norwich Union one-day games, starting with the live TV match against Lancashire Lightning on May 27.

And the best in the heats will be invited to a Floodlit Challenge evening on August 14.

The final of the Greatest Throw On Earth will be the highlight of the evening's programme.

If you fancy making it into the record books, simply fill in the entry form.

Contestants who apply to attempt the record through The Northern Echo will receive a free ticket for the Floodlit Challenge Evening. Others can register on the day of the heats and make an attempt at the record.