TALENTED dancers almost tapped their way into the record books as they helped raise money for Children in Need.

Students from Zennor's Dance and Musical Theatre Academy, which has studios in Far Forest and Stourport were part of a nationwide tapathon which fell just short of breaking a world record.

Dancers across the whole country took part in the event – which involved tapping the same dance at the same time – to attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest tap dance.

The current record stood at 7,596, and still does after the latest attempt saw only 7,000 people take part.

The academy has been recruiting volunteers to join the bid and holding training sessions every week for the past two months.

Although the group were not part of a new record, they did raise £659 toward the BBC appeal to help disadvantaged children in the UK.

Zennor McGuire, principal, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day. Our aim was to get as many people as possible to join in to break the record and in the process raise as much as we can for Children in Need.

“We had lots of adults, including parents and families of our dancers come along and join us, as well as some of our senior dancers.

“Everybody turned up in their charity t-shirts and wearing Pudsey ears and we also had a visit from Pudsey himself.”

The dance, to Pharrell Williams’ Happy, lasted for seven and a half minutes, which Zennor said is unusually long for her tappers.

“Our usual dances only last between one and a half to three and a half minutes, so we were dancing for more than double the amount of time.

“However, the whole event was absolutely brilliant. Everybody had a great time and were on good form.

“It was our first year in taking part in the event but everyone is raring to go again next year.”

Joanne Greenhalgh, founder of The Performers Project, the organisation running the attempt, said: “It's been wonderful to read that a great day was had by all.

“Well done to all the participants that were involved and we appreciate your hard work and continued support in making the Tapathon event such a huge success.”

To donate to the cause visit justgiving.com/zennors-tapathon-2014