A world record attempt to photograph the highest number of bikini-clad women in one place proved a miserable failure.

The bid on an Essex beach attracted just 42 women – a figure somewhat shy of the current record which stands at 1,923 and was set in Russia in July 2008.

The Guinness Book of World Records is full of weird and wonderful feats which, with the right organisation, should be easy to beat.

Why not use your paper’s profile in the community to try to beat a world record – even if it’s the bikini one while the sun’s still out.