A competition to break the world record in haggis hurling takes place at the National Trust for Scotland's Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway on Sunday 29 January, as part of annual celebrations to mark the bard's birthday.

The current record for haggis hurling was set in June 2011 by Lorne Coltart of Blair Atholl when he threw a haggis 214 feet 9 inches at the 39th Milngavie and Bearsden Highland games.

Hurlers are invited to get involved in competing to establish a new world record at Burns Cottage.

Event organiser Stuart Cochrane said: "Haggis hurling dates back beyond the Bard, but we are sure he would have enjoyed seeing our national dish involved in such a challenging sport.

"We are hoping that some stout lads and lassies will come along and try to make history as part of our celebrations for Burns' birthday."

This is the second year that haggis hurling will take place at the museum and the competition runs from 1pm until 4pm. It is one of a series of events taking place around Alloway on Sunday 27 January as part of the Alloway 1759 celebrations - www.alloway1759.com.

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o' Doon, the cottage where Burns was born has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new award-winning museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum commemorates the life and works of Robert Burns.

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed more than 800,000 visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon's 'new favourite place in Scotland'.