Weird and wonderful events mark World Records Day

Opening up a Guinness Book of World Records can reveal a startling number of completely bizarre feats.

Yet, no matter how strange and seemingly impossible they are, someone always seems to go one better.

This was the aim of many participants in yesterday's (November 17th) World Records Day, with hundreds of thousands of people in countries around the globe gathering with the aim of becoming a record breaker.

One of the more unusual attempts was held in Dublin, where the largest gathering of people dressed as leprechauns took place – and a startling 262 individuals joined in.

Derek Mooney from Ireland's RTE Radio One said the team were proud to bring the title home to its "native soil", following a period held by the US.

A more physically tasking feat was performed by 91-year-old Bernice Mary Bates from Florida, US, who was named the world's oldest yoga teacher.

Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records – which has been running for over 55 years – said: "This year, it seems to be about bringing records back home to the people who are most passionate about enjoying their culture and national identity."