THOUSANDS of guitarists are invited to come together on Lyme Regis beach this summer and help set a new world record.

Musicians of all ages and abilities can be a part of Britain’s biggest ever band for Guitars on the Beach on Saturday, September 7.

Organisers want at least 2,000 guitarists to set a British record for the greatest number of guitarists playing one song altogether at the same time.

They will spend the next six months getting the open invitation out to every guitarist in Britain - including superstar players - to join the record-bidding band.

It will be held on the main beach at 5pm during low tide, when the band will play Buddy Holly’s ‘Rave On’.

September 7 would have been Buddy Holly’s 77th birthday, so the invitation to participate will also be extended to various fan societies.

Lyme resident Geoff Baker, who is staging the event with local chef Mark Hix, said: “We're asking every guitarist to take part, from six-year-olds to 80-year-olds.

“We've picked Rave On because it is easier for most players to play or learn to play, as it's only three chords - G, C and D.”

The event was dreamt up after discovering that there was no existing record for Britain's biggest band and organisers hope that attempting to set one could bring thousands of visitors to the town.

Other countries, including America, Germany and Poland, have set national records but Britain has never competed before.

In 2002, 1,802 guitarists in Germany set a record for playing Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water'. A Facebook page - Guitars On The Beach - has been set up for players to register their intention to take part by ‘liking' it.