Tenpin bowler Arthur Hayes is preparing for a strike at a world record.

He is aiming to beat the current individual record of 37 hours for continuous bowling.

And Arthur -- at 58 -- hopes also to score a success as the oldest player to hold the accolade. He is attempting his marathon stint at AMF, in Keighley -- where Arthur is now in his second season of bowling -- this weekend.

His effort will also raise money, through sponsorship, to help children with leukaemia. Arthur, who took up tenpin bowling 23 years ago, has been going through endurance training for several weeks in readiness for his bid.

And this week he has been following a strict pasta and rice diet, and drinking several pints of water a day, to build up energy.

He said: "I am aiming to bowl for 40 hours, although I have been advised that because it is a record which has been attempted and broken several times -- and on four occasions in the past two years -- I should continue for as long as possible.

"I have done two 12-hour marathons in the past for charity, but I have never attempted anything like this.

"I've been training on a treadmill at a local gym for ten weeks and I have been doing some work at home, and I feel ready for it. I am fairly confident about breaking the record, but I must admit I'm starting to get a little nervous." Arthur -- a joiner -- bowls weekly at AMF Keighley, which is covering the cost of his lane charges. He has also received sponsorship from fellow bowlers and from several local companies.

The record attempt will begin at 7am on Sunday, and if all goes to plan Arthur -- last year's Keighley AMF Bowler of the Year -- should achieve the record on Monday evening.

Among those who will be there cheering him on will be his 31-year-old daughter Karen Gill, who is also a keen bowler.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Arthur should contact Paul Shuttleworth, at Keighley AMF, on 01535 611730.