Lightning bolt drawing championships return for sixth year

There have been five previous winners of the Championships - one from as far away as Australia

The sixth annual Lightning Bolt Drawing World Championships will be held this weekend at The Racecourse in Northampton.

Participants are given a single piece of white chalk and assigned a number to remain anonymous, before sketching their chosen lightning bolt design on the pavement.

The event will be judged by a panel of experts including someone who has been struck by lightning, with the winner taking home the prestigious title of World Champion.

Organiser and local artist Bill Pollard said he started the contest because earning the title of world champion in lightning bolt drawing "would be a great title to have."

The competition is one of local Northampton artist Bill Pollard's "better silly ideas"

The contest started in 2018 and last year's tournament attracted 142 competitors.

One memorable image was a 150ft long lighting bolt and there was even a "fully fledged naked lady with lightning bolts dancing around her."

Mr Pollard said "ultimately the Championships are about having fun".

The designs stay on the pavement until the rain washes the chalk away.

The Lightning Bolt drawing championships take place on Sunday 1 September at the Racecourse between 14:00 BST and 16:00.