Metallica's James Hetfield and Rob Trujillio are to appear as characters in the latest instalment of the long-running video game series Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, NME reported.

They come as part of a special download pack for XBox 360 and Playstation 3. Titled Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 HD Revert Pack, the add-on is released on December 4. In addition to the playable characters, players will be able to skate along to the sound of the band's 'All Nightmare Long'.

A known skating fan, Hetfield has broken his arm skateboarding on numerous occasions, reportedly causing his management company, Q Prime, to add a clause in Hetfield's contract forbidding him to ride while Metallica are on tour.

Previous instalments of the Tony Hawk's series have seen musical guest characters including Beastie Boys' MCA, Blink 182's Travis Barker, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Eddie, the mascot of Iron Maiden.

Metallica's Kirk Hammett recently confirmed that Metallica will start work on their new album, the follow-up to 2008's 'Death Magnetic', "soon".