Members of the public are being invited to break a Guinness World Record with the 6th annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship.

The event takes place at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park in Clare.

Organised by Clare County Council, the event is seen a novel way to turn Christmas tree recycling into a sport - while at the same time raise funds for a needy cause.

This year's proceeds will go to Rape Crisis Midwest.

The championship is based on age-old lumberjack traditions, and sees members of the public competing to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree.

Image: Clare County Council

There will be trophies for the longest throw in various categories - with a trophy for the overall champion.

Every participant will also be entered into a draw to win one year family membership at Active Ennis Leisure Complex.

Limerick man John O'Dea last year reclaimed the Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship title, when he threw his Christmas tree a winning distance of 8.6 metres - an Irish record he first set in 2014.

Tim Forde, general manager of Active Ennis Sports and Leisure Facilities, described the championship as "a sporting charity event with competitors from the four corners of Ireland and further afield being invited to take part.

"The event is open to men, women and children, and each contestant will be afforded three attempts at throwing the Christmas tree."

The Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place on Sunday January 8th 2017 between 1.00pm to 3.00pm at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park in Ennis.