MINEHEAD beach became the stage for a world record-breaking twist challenge last Sunday.

But despite fine weather and the support of a host of West Somerset organisations, the mass dancing session failed to set a new record.

The attempt, organised by Somerset Breakthrough Breast Cancer, saw 1,336 people giving it their all for the required full five minutes.

But the number was several hundred short of the current record-holders, St Aidan's Church of England High School and St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate, who managed a mass twist-in involving 1,691 people.

Christine Piper, chairman of Somerset Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said she was disappointed but very grateful to everyone who had turned up.

"We had a lot of fun and there was a fantastic atmosphere," she said. "There was lots of entertainment, including the Oasis group dancers and Butlins Redcoats.

"And we had a huge amount of help from many organisations, such as Minehead Rugby Club, the ATC squadron from Williton and Jill Holmwood from West Somerset Council.

"It was a shame that we didn't manage a new world record but we beat our own, so that was great."

In 2002, the charity set the first twist on the beach world record by getting 1,150 people to strut their stuff at Burnham-on-Sea.

But Mrs Piper said she hoped to return to Minehead to make another shot at beating the record next year.

Photo: Alfred Images