DOZENS of children at Basingstoke Academy of Dance were part of a nationwide effort to break a tap dancing world record.

A lively group of 73 young dancers from the Basingstoke dance school took part in Tapathon, organised by national organisation The Performers Project to raise money for Children in Need.

The national record-breaking attempt, which is in its third year, recruited people from across the UK to perform the same six-minute routine at the same time. The record was for the number of people participating.

Unfortunately the record, set in 2010, was not broken this year, but thousands of pounds were still raised.

Sabina Turrill, from the academy, said the children from the organisation raised about £600 for the charity by tap dancing to a song by Olly Murs.

She said: “A massive well done to Connie Pearce and Jenna Hearth for organising the event and putting in a lot of time teaching the students the routine. Tappers from local dance schools all got involved for this event.”

The world record currently stands at 7,596 people.