The ancient Egyptians would be turning in their graves, or more likely bouncing in them, if they could see how the latest great pyramid had been built.

A group, led by students from the University of Brighton, set a world record at the weekend by building their version of the famous monuments using 298 bright orange space hoppers.

The 16-foot tall pyramid went up outside the Jubilee Library in Jubilee Square, Brighton, on Saturday as a prelude to an attempt to break another world record, for the most people simultaneously bouncing on the toys. The current record stands at 600 but the organisers of the attempt on Monday, May 28, at Hove Lawns, believe they can break the 1,000 barrier.

Organiser Glen Poole worked closely with sculptor Will Nash on the pyramid to make sure it was structurally sound.

Mr Poole said: "The pyramids in Egypt are ok, but history has shown us that space hoppers are a much more slave-friendly building material."

The record attempts are part of the Orchid Cancer Appeal's Bounce Your Balls campaign to raise awareness of testicular cancer. In April an IT consultant from Burgess Hill became the first person to skydive on a space hopper.

Anyone interested in joining the bouncing record attempt should visit www.bounceyourballs.com or call 01273 709709.