A GROUP of pool players are waiting to have a new world record confirmed after they played 256 games in a 24-hour marathon.

Taking into account five-minute breaks every hour, it means the foursome from the New Eltham Social Club in Avery Hill Road, played an average of 11.6 games an hour.

Steve Kirton, 53, of Milner Walk, New Eltham, came up with the idea as a way of raising money for charity.

The father-of-two played alongside his 27-year-old son Mathew and friends Brad Haig, 39, and 40-year-old Bernie Scott.

More than £3,000 has been raised so far for the Orpington Gateway Club, Crofton Halls, York Rise, which puts on events for people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Eltham MP Clive Efford attended and has pledged to get a signed bottle of scotch from Tony Blair to be auctioned on September 30 at the New Eltham Social Club.

The money raised from the auction will also go to the Orpington Gateway Club.

Mr Kirton said: "I felt emotionally drained after the event. But is was a fantastic experience and we had a lot of support and people cheering us on."

He is now in the process of sending off the application to Guinness World Records and expects to get the record confirmed within the next six weeks.