A SILSDEN firm has produced the world's biggest sleeping bag ahead of a giant charity event.

The bag – which measures 20 metres by nine metres and weighs 80kg – was unfurled at Bradford Bulls' stadium, where a fundraising sleep-out takes place today (Nov 6).

Snugpak – which manufactured the oversized bag at its Waterloo Mills, Howden Road, base – said the project was hugely enjoyable but presented several challenges.

"We've never attempted to make a sleeping bag of this size before and it did throw up a few logistical challenges!" said the firm's marketing manager, Stewart Anderson.

"It is basically a scaled up version of our normal bags but our quilting machines aren't designed for that size so we had to produce it in sections and then sew them together.

"Also, the sleeping bag became increasingly difficult to manoeuvre as it got bigger and we had to concertina it to fit on the floorspace!"

From the design stage to completion, the venture took about 50 hours.

"It was an excellent project to be part of," said Mr Anderson, 32, who has been involved with the company for about 15 years.

"We're hoping to obtain confirmation of the official Guinness world record for the biggest sleeping bag, and the aim is also to get the most people in a sleeping bag."

Snugpak was founded in 1977 with a handful of staff and now employs around 40.

It manufactures sleeping bags and insulated clothing and exports its products across the world.

"Our core areas are the USA and Australia – with some going to Japan," said Mr Anderson.

"About fifty per cent of what we produce goes overseas.

"The military is one of our big customers but we also supply to retailers across the UK for the general camping and trekking markets."

Today's sleep-out will raise money for youth homelessness organisation Centrepoint and the Bradford Bulls foundation.

Among those taking part is Bulls chief executive, Robbie Hunter-Paul.

Visit sleep-out.org.uk for further information.