Some of Scotland’s best known stars are on the hunt for people who can munch their way through a pound of haggis in less than two minutes, helping raise funds for charity Help for Heroes.

Lula, The Proclaimers, author Alexander McCall Smith and Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh are searching for strong-stomached participants to take part in the International Haggis Championships, held at Edinburgh’s Art Roch hostel in the Grassmarket.

The first person who manages to guzzle Scotland’s national dish in under 120 seconds will also land themselves a Guinness World Record.

Shout star Lulu is desperate for a fellow Scot to complete the challenge. “We've got to have a Scottish champion. I think I myself have eaten a haggis supper in less than two minutes in my youth,” she said.
 
“Here's to raising lots of money and putting Scotland's delicious national dish firmly on the map!”

Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh added: “It is a fantastically fun competition and I would urge everyone to come along on the day to take part, or to simply cheer on participants as they take on a pound of our national dish in under two minutes.”

The haggis eating championship takes place on Sunday June 19 and will kick off the city’s festival season.

The day of fun starts at 11am and any vegetarians – or people who can’t stomach oats and innards – will be offered a vegetarian versions of haggis.

ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS:

• Find out how to make your own haggis, neeps and tatties
• Haggis with a twist: recipe for haggis pakora
• Haggis wine created for Burns Suppers

Caryn Carroll, one of the organisers based at Art Roch, offered some advice to anyone planning to take part in the haggis eating championships.  

“The best competitive eaters around the world are actually skinny because it’s easier to stretch out your stomach when you’re not pushing up against lots of fat. And unlike a marathon you have to sprint from the start before your stomach begins to realise how much food is going in there.
 
“We’ll be offering brave hearts with strong stomachs a choice of meat-based and vegetarian haggis, which Halls, the haggis makers, has agreed to donate. It’s a good idea to get some practice in before hand. And we’ll let contestants wash down the great chieftain o’ the pudding’ race with a soft drink.”
 
She added: “They shouldn’t compete on an empty stomach because empty stomachs apparently don’t stretch very well so a proper meal the night before is a good idea.”
 
Competitor numbers are strictly limited so entrants are advised to register now by emailing info@theprcompany.biz or joining the Edinburgh haggis championship Facebook page. The first ten to do so will qualify for free dorm accommodation at Art Roch hostel.

The winner will also lift a prize for their efforts an any non-Scottish competitors will be awarded with a certificate declaring them an honorary Scot.