AN Ilkley church is aiming to get in the Guinness Book of Records by completing the world's largest jigsaw.

Christchurch in Ilkley, which holds an annual Jigsaw Festival, has been gifted a 48,000 piece puzzle by an anonymous donor. Now it wants to get the whole Ilkley community involved in putting it together over 24-hours. When complete it will be larger than the current largest commercial jigsaw puzzle which according to Guinness World Records is 40,320 pieces.

It is hoped businesses will come forward to both sponsor and take part in the event, which will be held over three days from February 27 to March 1 from 10am to 6pm. The aim is to complete the jigsaw with help from sponsors and/or volunteers teaming up.

Christchurch raised over £1,800 during the 2017 jigsaw festival for beneficiaries Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Cancer Research UK and the church and hope to raise even more for these charities through this sponsored event.

During the 24-hour event (taking place over three days), businesses can book a time slot from one to eight hours and join in building the world’s largest production jigsaw. Refreshments will be provided.

Brian Scott, jigsaw project organiser said: “We were gifted this amazing jigsaw by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous and instantly thought we had to get the community involved in building it! It has 48,000 pieces so will take a strong team effort but we’re confident businesses can come together, have some fun and help us create something Ilkley has never seen before. When it is completed we are hoping to make an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.”

The completed jigsaw, which will measure 768cm x 204 cm (over 25 by 6½ feet) will be on display from Monday, April 2 to Saturday, April 7 at Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Donations can be made through TotalGiving on the church’s fundraising page, https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/worldslargestjigsaw or if you would like further information contact brianpatscott@gmail.com.