The group, from Sunderland University, held a banana-eating competition as part of its raise and giving (Rag) week.

Students stuffed their faces in a bid to achieve their goal of raising £5,000, for their chosen charities – Breast Cancer Campaign, Marine Conservation Society, Everyman, Right to Play and Coco.

The competition was part of a week of activities, which included a slave auction, a hospital bed push and a sleepover in the Bonded Warehouse.

The banana contest was held in conjunction with Fairtrade's Go Bananas campaign, a bid to break the world record for the greatest number of people eating a Fairtrade banana in a 24-hour period.

Ciara Murphy, 22, who oversees the Rag committee, said: "Rag week has been amazing and we have raised more than £3,000 so far.

"When Fairtrade suggested we joined in their world record, we thought it was a brilliant idea, and it helps to raise money for our charities too."

The bananas were donated by Morrisons at Doxford Park.

Students' Union President Greg Du Bois, 22, ate six in 10 minutes.

More than 300,000 people across the UK signed up to take part in Fairtrade's campaign, which also saw events in Durham City and pupils at St Godric's RC Primary School scoffing 210 bananas.