A Sussex town aims to break the world record for the biggest advent calendar.

The calendar will be created by members of the Eastbourne Christmas Cracker Partnership as part of the build up to festive events in the town.

The present record is held by Malaysia, with a calendar measuring 23ft by 7ft.

Organisers in Eastbourne are confident they can beat it and have their town entered in the Guinness Book of Records.

But they are keeping their exact plans secret. An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesman said: "We are worried other people might try to go one better than us."

As well as the council, the partnership includes representatives from Eastbourne's chamber of commerce, the hotels association, Arndale Centre and the pier.

The calendar will be unveiled at the beginning of December and one window a day will be opened by children, including the winners of an advent calendar design competition.

Entries will be displayed at the Arndale Centre from November 26 to December 22.

The competition is open to children aged 11 and under.

Entries should be sent to the Biggest Advent Calendar in the World Competition, College Road, Eastbourne, no later than November 23.