A BIG-hearted DJ is depriving himself of sleep for five days in a bid to establish a new world record in aid of charity.

Stephen Smith, also known as DJ Smithy, is banking on his fellow regulars at the Tally Ho, in Broadheath, near Tenbury Wells, to help his attempt to play records for the longest continuous period ever.

His marathon disc jockey stint started on Tuesday and is expected to end at midnight on New Year's Eve, after he has played more than 2,050 records without stopping.

Stephen, from Wichenford near Martley, said: "The aim of the attempt is pretty simple - I have got to play records for as long as possible without sleeping.

"The current record was set by DJ Martin Boss, who played records for 74 hours in Orlando, Florida, in 2002.

"I am probably a bit more insane than him because I am trying to play for more than 120 hours - and that's a lot of music."

Stephen, whose day job involves mixing cement rather than records, is raising money for Cancer Research UK and the County Air Ambulance.

"As a builder working in the country I know how important the Air Ambulance is for us and for farmers - because it is so much quicker than a normal ambulance," he said.

"I hope this will capture people's imaginations and I want to get the whole community involved - it would be brilliant if people can donate."

Stephen, who will make dedications for a small fee, said he is relying on his determination to make it through the torturous turntable challenge.

"I imagine by the third night it will be a nightmare but I will continue until the medics say I cannot carry on," he predicted. "I have a lot of will power and the longer I go on the more money I will raise for charity."

Stephen is allowed a five-minute comfort break every hour and dancing should be carried out throughout the whole session, even if it is by a single individual.

The venue is also open to the public throughout Stephen's attempt and two independent witnesses have to attend at all times.

The whole session is being filmed, and will be broadcast on the internet at www.djsmithy.co.uk, so it can be verified by the Guinness Book of Records.