VOLUNTEERS will need strong teeth, a healthy appetite and a love of sweetcorn if they choose to take up a competitive challenge this weekend.

A prize of £1,000 is on offer in a contest to find Britain’s supreme corn-on-the-cob eater who can beat the current world record.

The UK Sweetcorn Eating championships are being held at York Maze on Saturday (AUG 7) of the attractions annual Sweetcorn Festival.

Farmer and maze owner Tom Pearcy said: "The Americans have held the corn on the cob eating record for too long.

"I’d like to see a UK world champion take the corn crown and am offering a £1,000 cash prize for anyone who can set a new world record."

The current world record is held by Jammin’ Joe LaRue, from Florida who set a new world record in April this year of a stomach-busting 46 ears of corn in 12 minutes.

The competition and festival are being held at the York Maze, which this year is in the shape of a giant Spitfire to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Other activities include a corn food festival with all manner of edible corn products, a barbeque and live music.

Children will also be able to enter a challenge to see who can eat a single corn on the cob in the fastest time, and there will be prizes in various age categories.

"The Sweetcorn Festival is a day of events to celebrate the wonderful plant that York Maze is made from," said Mr Pearcy. "It would be great to see a new world record set."

Activities take place between noon and 4pm with the world record prize contest at 3pm.