REGULARS at an East Lancashire pub are taking part in a bizarre ritual to celebrate Australia Day.

The Tim Tam Slam - which involves drinkers supping beer through biscuits - is taking place at Burnley's Aussie-theme bar Walkabout this weekend.

Locals will be among an estimated 30,000 people across the country to simultaneously dunk and suck the Australian biscuit in an attempt to set a world record.

Tim Tams are biscuits, sandwiched together with chocolate fondant and coated in milk chocolate, which have been available in Australia since 1964.

The ritual of the Tim Tam Slam involves biting off opposing corners of the biscuit and sucking tea, coffee or any chosen drink through it.

It is said to be widespread down under and has been catching on in the UK since they were launched here last year.

Damien Gillies, assistant manager of Walkabout, said: "The biscuits are pretty popular in Australia. The Tim Tam Slam came about following an advert for them where they suck the drink through the biscuits.

"If you like chocolate, you will love these biscuits." The event is being held on Sunday. Australia Day, is the following day.

It is a public holiday in the country to mark the anniversary of the foundation of the colony by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788.

Traditionally, Australians have a barbecue breakfast and enjoy a day of parties and celebrations.

In Sydney, there is an Australia Day Parade and Sydney Harbour plays host to the Australia Day regatta, which is the world's oldest continuous regatta.

Damien said last year people in Burnley got into the swing of the pub's Australia day celebrations and he hopes that this year will also prove a success.

The pub be open all day and as well as the Tim Tam Slam there will be a barbecue, live music and prizes.

Damien said: "We are trying to bring a little piece of Australia to Burnley and I hope it will be a lot of fun."

Money raised will be donated to Leukaemia Research.