More than 200 snails will be slugging it out at the World Snail Racing Championships.

Eastern Daily Press: Action from the World Snail Racing Championships. Picture: Matthew Usher.Action from the World Snail Racing Championships. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2015)

Being held at Congham near King's Lynn on Saturday, July 21, the championships forms part of Congham Fete which raises funds for St Andrew's Church.

Tension is mounting as owners prepare snails for the 13 inch course, with some owners waiting until nearer the date before deciding which snail is on best form.

Some snails have been in training for weeks while other enthusiasts wait until the big day and get a snail from the garden.

Eastern Daily Press: World Snail Racing Championships. Picture : ANTONY KELLYWorld Snail Racing Championships. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: archant 2017)

For more than 25 years, the World Snail Racing Championships has been held in Congham, which is described to be the ideal snail racing village for its low-lying lands surrounded by ponds.

Farmer Neil Riseborough is snail trainer to the World Championships. He keeps order, tests for drugs, watches out for cheating and starts the races.

He said: 'I expect some tremendous snails this year. We had a very wet spring and this leads to good snails.

Eastern Daily Press: Action from the World Snail Racing Championships. Picture: Matthew Usher.Action from the World Snail Racing Championships. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2015)

'However, they haven't liked the recent hot weather, it makes them very sluggish. Some snails might even refuse to race.'

The world record of two minutes over 13 inches was set in 1995 by a snail called Archie.

Current champion, Larry, with a time of two minutes and 27 seconds, will be defending his title.

Eastern Daily Press: World Snail Racing Championships. Picture : ANTONY KELLYWorld Snail Racing Championships. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: archant 2017)

Owner Tara Beasely, from Castle Acre, said: 'I have looked after Larry carefully all year.

'He is now in training and eating mostly cucumber. I have high hopes he'll go away with the title again.'

The fete will have all the usual attractions and stalls, including a ukulele band, snail mask-making for children and strawberry and cream teas.

Eastern Daily Press: World Snail Racing Championships. Picture : ANTONY KELLYWorld Snail Racing Championships. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: archant 2017)

The first heat of the snail racing starts at 2pm. Snails who enter the race will have a number sticker placed on their shell so they can be easily identified.

There are heats all afternoon with a final just after 4pm. Entry is free and snails can be provided at the fete.

The fete is being held on the cricket field at Congham, next to Congham Hall. Entry is free with ample car parking provided.