A PAIR of bat-wielding artists are challenging Yellowbellies to a three-day game of ping pong.

Performance group Search Party has announced it will be playing table tennis against all-comers in Lincoln next month.

The group, consisting of Bristol-based duo Pete Phillips and Jodie Hawkes, says it wants passers-by to form teams to take them on and become part of the performance.

They have previously hosted similar events across the UK and Europe and their aim is to "attempt to create temporary communities, inviting spectators to become co-collaborators in the live event".

They say that their events "question the relationship between sport and performance, borrowing the notion of team to examine connections between individual, group and place".

The table tennis games in Lincoln will be spread out over three days, from 10am to 4pm between August 28 and 30.

It will be held in Cornhill Square, Lincoln, and is free to play. The event is being organised by the Lincoln Art Programme, run by University Of Lincoln graduates Alan Armstrong and Amelia Beavis-Harrison.

Mr Armstrong said the group wanted to make art more accessible.

He said: "We are keen on getting local people involved in art projects.

"Two days before the project starts, Search Party are going to visit various local sports groups in Lincolnshire and undertake research.

"The research will fit into the commentary that accompanies the games. Anyone can come along."

Mr Armstong added the Lincoln Art Programme's main aim was to develop contemporary art in the city.

He said: "Both Amelia and I moved to Nottingham after university as we didn't feel there was enough contemporary art in Lincoln. But since we have come back, we have set up the art programme."

Lincoln City FC chairman Bob Dorrian said table tennis was a "tremendous game".

The Imps supremo is a keen ping pong player who competes in the second division of the Lincoln And District Table Tennis League.

Mr Dorrian said he believed an evening playing the sport was a more strenuous workout than visiting the gym. He said: "Table tennis is a fantastic game. It's a very technical game and it's a game where you are pitting your wits against opponents."

Mr Dorrian said an evening of competitive table tennis could run from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, involving three singles games and a doubles match.