ST Thomas's Church, Blackpool, has claimed a record for "the longest Christian conga" during a community fun day that raised thousands of pounds for a cancer charity.

The Mayor of Blackpool, Ivan Taylor, opened the fun day and both he and his wife, Coun Sylvia Taylor, joined the dance that put the church in the record books.

"A new record of 263 people took part in the Christian conga, breaking a previous record of 130," said the vicar, the Rev George Fisher.

More than £1,000 was raised for the Macmillan Windmill Cancer Appeal and the sponsored activities should raise up to another £4,000.