A record-breaking attempt in a Hendon pub this weekend will be even more emotional as it comes a year after tragedy struck.

Mannings pub, in Brent Street, will be the stage for musician Georgi Georgiev to attempt to break the world record for the longest guitar performance.

It will also mark the official re-opening of the pub, which was taken over by new owner Alex Vega after he made a promise to his best friend, Shak Dalal, just before he died, aged 39, on March 31 last year.

Mr Vega, who described he and his friend as inseparable, said: "We were in this pub when he had a heart attack and collapsed. We had the documents in our hand and had agreed to become partners. Running a live music venue is something we had dreamt about since childhood.

"It has become something of a passion, and the reason behind it is solid, so we want to do something that we will be proud of."

Mr Vega, who runs other businesses from offices in the same street, took over the pub in November, and has refurbished it as a traditional public house and venue for live bands.

Mr Georgiev, 26, will be attempting his 44-hour continuous music performance from 5pm tonight, with all money raised going to the British Heart Foundation.

He will need to play his guitar until Sunday afternoon to break the record, and is allowed just a five-minute rest each hour.

More than 20 other bands and musicians have agreed to play alongside him, covering a variety of musical styles.

To successfully break the record, the tunes must be recognisable and played to a good standard for at least two minutes each.

No piece of music can be repeated within four hours and improvisation and jamming are not allowed.

"I am feeling excellent about it all," said Mr Georgiev, who has lined up a set list of almost 200 songs.

"It will be like a normal weekend for me playing music, only I'm not going to sleep and will be on stage for longer, but I'll definitely do it - easy."