Womad music festival's air guitar world record bid

The record was held briefly in 2009 by 810 festival-goers at the Download Festival, Donington Park

An estimated 2,000 people at a music festival in Wiltshire are set to take part in a world record attempt for the largest "air guitar" ensemble.

The main stage crowd at Womad Festival 2011, in Malmesbury, are due to start playing along at 1030 BST on Sunday.

The current Air Guitar UK Champion, Thom 'W!ld Th!ng 37' Wilding will lead the ensemble in a rendition of Jimi Hendrix's legendary track Purple Haze.

The current record was set by 1,883 people in Australia in 2009.

The attempt is being organised by the charity Action on Hearing Loss, formerly RNID, and will be attended by Guinness World Records' officials.

'Rise to challenge'

The professionals leading the crowd also include rock singer Justin Adams.

Emma Harrison, a director at Action on Hearing Loss, said they were "confident of beating the old record".

"We've never tried this before, but we're sure our Womad friends will rise to the challenge," she said.

Womad organiser Chris Smith said they were "really excited to be hosting this very special event for a cause close to the Womad heart".

"We all love music - but it's important to listen to it safely," she said.