THE National Outdoor Tug O' War Championships take place at the Three Counties Show in Malvern on Saturday.

The championships, which are being organised by the English Tug O' War Association, will feature men's and women's competitions.

There will be six weight categories for men's teams and two weight categories for women's teams.

Around 80 teams from all around the country will be competing at the event in various weight categories. Each weight category will be a combined weight of eight competitors.

The winners of these weight categories will go on to represent England at the World Championships in Holland in September.

The competition leading up to these championships has been very close in all of the weight categories, for both the men and women, which should make for some exciting and entertaining competition.

Tug O' War is recognised by Sport England and the association is affiliated to the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), now England Athletics.

It is also recognised by the International Olympic Committee, and there is a possibility that the sport could be included as a demonstration/exhibition sport at the 2012 London Olympics, which would provide a fantastic opportunity for the sport to grow.

England are hosting the 2007 European Championships next September.

More Information about the sport is available on the Tug O' War Association web site at www.tugofwar.co.uk.