THERE was nothing Minnie about this world record attempt as 624 people got dressed up as mice.

The Downs Infant School community was certainly not taking the Mickey as they set a new record and raised thousands of pounds for the school.

Students, staff, parents, grandparents and siblings all came together at the school in Ditchling Road, Brighton – whiskers and all.

Almost 400 students were primed to say cheese as they signed off for Easter in style as the world’s biggest congregation of people dressed as rodents.

Organiser Phil Viner, chairman of the Friends of Downs Infant School, was over the moon when more than 200 family members turned up at the school to boost the numbers.

He said: “It was absolutely brilliant.

“If we’d made it past 500 I would have been so happy, but to get 624 is just superb.

“For a start it’s hard to imagine 624 people in the playground, but seeing them all in their ears, noses and tails was amazing.

“Ten parents were going class to class painting noses and whiskers and they looked great.

“There were parents, grandparents, kids and babies all dressed up and all squeaking and acting like mice – and every one of them is a record breaker.

“It’s a beautiful, local community school and there’s such a lovely blend of people.

“My daughter only has one more year there, so I’ll be really sad when she leaves, it’s a lovely place.”

There is a serious side to the tails and squeaks with money desperately needed to improve the school’s computing facilities.

Mr Viner said: “I’m still going through the money, but we’re through the £5,500 mark for today and we’ll have more coming in next week I’m sure.

“What’s crazy is the government changed the curriculum so that Years 1 and 2 now have to do computer programming, which is brilliant, but there’s no money for it. The last round of money the school got for computers was in 2007, and by now all those computers are out of date.”

The school has to replace 20 computers and three interactive whiteboards to make sure their equipment is up to date.

Replacing them and buying 30 iPads for the school will cost more than £30,000, but Mr Viner said it’s an essential mission having already raised close to £16,000.

He added: “The school has been in the dark ages for years and we need to make a difference.

“If there are any local computer companies who can offer us any help, we’d really appreciate it.”

Other successful record attempts

  • Most people dressed as Harry Potter – 521 at Tanbridge House School in Horsham.
  • Most people dressed as Superman – 867 at Kendal Calling festival in the Lake District.
  • Most people dressed as Smurfs – 2,510 in Swansea mainly made up of students.
  • Most people dressed as trees – 1,000 by Sant Shri Arihant Rishiji and Jayam Ideal Youth Organisation (both India), in Mumbai, India.
  • Most people dressed as penguins – 373 in City Hall, London.
  • Most people dressed as cows – 470 inside the George Mason University Field House in Virginia.