Over 300 women braved unpredictable British summer weather today as they attempted to break a world record for the most bikini-clad women ever photographed together.However, despite 320 women stripping down to their swimwear on Redcar beach, the effort was not enough to get a place in the record books.
The fundraising event, organised by the Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club, failed to beat the current Guinness World Record, set in September last year on Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, when 1,010 women posed together in their bikinis.
However, it is still expected that the record attempt will have raised thousands of pounds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, through £5 (€3.15) entry fees and sponsorship.
Although a far cry from the sunny climes of Sydney, the sun did put in an appearance in Redcar today as thousands of people lined the beach to watch the women, aged from 16 to 81, taking part in the challenge.
Organiser Mike Robson, chairman of fundraising at the Rotary Club, said: "It was electric. The atmosphere was fantastic.
"We didn't manage to break the record, in fact we got nowhere near it, but that isn't a disappointment. We managed to make an awful lot of money for the Great North Air Ambulance."
"We had one lady of 81, we had one lady who came from Surrey purely to do this, lots of ladies from all over the north east, all shapes and sizes. Exactly what we wanted."
Mr Robson said he came up with the idea after seeing the Bondi Beach attempt on the internet.
"The Rotary Club traditionally do dances and quizzes, it's all the same," he said. "I thought 'it's time we do something different'. I mentioned it to the club and their jaws dropped but then they saw the double challenge of the Guinness World Record and the fundraising element for the air ambulance and everyone worked their socks off."
Despite not managing to break the record this time, Mr Robson said he was keen to have another attempt in the future, an idea backed by his wife, Jan, who took part today.
Mrs Robson, 59, said: "It was fabulous. I wasn't going to do it but I borrowed a bikini just the same and I couldn't resist it in the end. The atmosphere was fantastic.
"Everyone was enjoying it, all shapes and sizes, all waving and shouting. And the sun coming out just made it - I was a bit shivery to start with but we didn't feel the cold.
"I definitely would do it again."
Click for Old Bikini World Record
