An Indian man has made a bid for a place in record books by swallowing 200 live earthworms in just 20 seconds.

C Manoharan swallowed the earthworms, each four inches long, before a huge gathering on a beach in the southern port city of Chennai.

Witnesses said the 26-year-old eclipsed the current record held by Mark Hogg of the United States, who swallowed 94 in 30 seconds

The unemployed youth is said to have been practicing for the event for the past year and had demonstrated 'the skill' six times.

Last month, he reportedly swallowed 175 worms in 30 seconds, at a demonstration held in Cuddalore.

Mr Manoharan said after his latest performance: "I have not only improved the timing but also the number of worms."

Local officials, including an inspector, a government doctor, a lawyer and a sports official, were present at the record attempt.

A spokeswoman for the Guinness Book of Records said the record attempt was being considered.

swallowing worms. Moe sure envies him.

I am fairly certain that is a record that will stand for a long long time.

What people will do for their 15 minutes of fame. Uggghhhh.

Oh .. they do stuff like that all the on Fear Factor!!! But 200 worms in 20 seconds... wow... he just sucked them in like spahgetti...didn't he?

my god...that is so extremely wrong. worms???i wanna cut up worms and disect them but not eat them...

Did anyone happen to see that guy who drank 20 eggs in 29 seconds? He had a heart attack the first time he did it then he did it again and had a stroke a few minutes after he did it.

Both things sound rather disgusting. The egg event, and then worm event.

People do some pretty crazy and stupid things to get into the Guinness Book of Records! I mean eating 200 earthworms?! You got to be kidding! Sheesh!

I was once watching the Guinness Book of Records or a another show were a whole bunch of people were eating earthworms, it was the most gross thing I have ever seen! Then I just changed the channel. People will do strange and stupid things to get their fifteen minutes of fame.

Happy Holidays!

eeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwww, hope he brushed his teeth before going home that night