A Hartlepool sports centre is celebrating after breaking a world record.

A team of 24 players from across the United Kingdom took part in a 48-hour dodgeball marathon at The Dodgeball Centre, in Warren Road, Hartlepool, over the weekend in an attempt to enter the record books.

Hosted by the Hartlepool Mavericks Dodgeball Club and organised by Dodge Central, players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland played for 48 hours from 9am on Saturday, November 29, until 9am on Monday, December 1.

Players aged 18 and above broke the Guinness World Record for the longest dodgeball match shortly after 2am, which stood at 41 hours and three minutes, throwing their last ball seven hours later after 48 hours.

A team of 24 players from across the UK took part in a 48-hour dodgeball marathon at The Dodgeball Centre, in Warren Road, Hartlepool, in an attempt to break a world record.

placeholder image — A team of 24 players from across the UK took part in a 48-hour dodgeball marathon at The Dodgeball Centre, in Warren Road, Hartlepool, in an attempt to break a world record.

Organisers Meg Dixon, 28, and Alex Such, 26, said: “Honestly, it has been brilliant.

"It has been a pipeline dream for four or five years now so to say we have something to show for that is just incredible.

"There has been such a commitment from players, giving up their free time, as well as volunteers and everyone who came out to watch.

"Everyone has been doing ridiculous hours but everyone was fantastic.

Event organisers Meg Dixon, 28, and Alex Such, 26.

"Even though we were wearing different colours today, we played as one massive team.”

The marathon event spanning three days was watched by two independent invigilators, recorded and livestreamed, and will be reviewed by Guinness World Record officials as confirmation.

For now, Hartlepool Mavericks Dodgeball Club coach Stephanie Robson said: "We are delighted to be able to say we have officially broke the world record.

"I want to thank everyone that helped make it happen.

"It has also helped bring people up to the North East and playing dodgeball.”

Dodgeball players took just short breaks and naps throughout the course of the 48-hour marathon before heading back out onto the court again to fight for the world record title.

The event also managed to raise awareness and more than £6,000 for their two chosen charities, men’s health charity Movember and CoppaFeel! for breast cancer.

Donations to the players’ chosen charities can still be made by going online to https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-world-record-event-fundraiser-for-movember-coppafeel.