Worldwide record-breaking mania strikes

More than 200,000 people around the world came together today to break some wacky and wonderful records on the fifth annual Guinness World Records Day, which commemorates the day in 2004 when Guinness World Records became the world's bestselling copyright book.

Early results from record-breaking in Britain include the impressive come-back of 'Leicester's Ironman' Manjit Singh, 59, who broke a hair-raising new world record for the furthest distance to pull a double-decker bus with hair (21.2 m - 8.5 tons) this morning in Battersea Park, London.

Back in November 2007, his record breaking dreams were dashed when he failed to break the record for furthest distance to pull a double-decker bus with his ears which makes his comeback today even more meaningful. Manjit says: "I will never be discouraged by defeat because I know that success can be waiting around the next corner. The only way to get there is to try again and stay positive."

Also in London, 112 commuters at St Pancras International came together and set a record for the most people hugging for one minute while British Master's Squat Power Lifting Champion Shaun Jones from Norwich grabbed the title for fastest hot water bottle burst (18.81 secs).

Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records Craig Glenday said "It's a wonderful feeling knowing that so many hundreds of thousands of people around the world are taking in part in fun, inspirational, courageous and awe-inspiring record attempts for Guinness World Records Day 2009."

Record-breaking mania hit not just the UK, as countries around the globe put their best foot forward with amazing record attempts such as the fastest vehicle crossing of the Egyptian western desert (13hr 33min) in Egypt, largest bikini parade (228 - failed record attempt) in Australia, and various countries such as Afghanistan, UK, Mexico and Madagascar came together in one hot place for the record most nationalities in a Sauna (76 countries) in Finland.

Elsewhere in Europe, the Italians demonstrated their pasta-eating skills in a new record for the fastest time to eat a bowl of pasta (1m30s) as well as their bike gymnastics breaking the record Longest platform-to-platform bicycle jump (4m 02). Meanwhile, Norway got into the Christmas spirit early with the largest gingerbread man (651 kg).

Across the Atlantic, the US celebrates Guinness World Records Day with records for the largest cheerleading dance (297) in Memphis, Tennessee and most people lassoing simultaneously (23) in Texas, not to mention Mexico where charity-minded record-breaker achieved a tenacious accolade for the longest paper clip chain by a team (in progress).