SAUSAGE-scoffers are urgently needed for an annual competition in the name of charity.

For the fourth year running, a sausage-eating competition will be held in Worcestershire and this year the money raised will go towards a dedicated breast unit for the county.

Five team members will be expected to eat 2ft (0.6m) of sausages each in the fastest possible time under the watchful eye of sausage marshals'.

The sausage-off will be hosted at the Red Hart pub in Cockshot Lane, Kington, near Worcester, and will start at 7pm on Thursday, January 31.

Penny Hollingsworth, a volunteer for the Worcester breast unit appeal, said: "You have to stand on a box and hold in one hand a baton and in the other hand your sausages.

"You are not allowed to drink and there is a challenge cup to be won. We are hoping to have 20 teams.

"It's a good event that everybody can come to and it's fun."

The appeal aims to raise £1m over four years so the 500 people diagnosed with breast cancer in the county each year can benefit from state-of-the-art facilities.

Mrs Hollingsworth said: "There is no area specifically for breast patients at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"They have to go to outpatient areas including mammography, pathology and a breast care nurse's office.

"It is not uncommon for a patient to have to visit all of these on three floors over several hours."

She believes that a designated breast unit would give patients a better experience, with all facilities available to them in one place.

It costs £25 per team to enter the competition and teams must register by calling the pub on 01386 792559, by noon on Wednesday, January 30.

Last year's competition raised cash for Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester.