The world-famous journalists’ church of St Bride’s, in Fleet Street, is to attempt to host a world record to mark the 50th anniversary of its rebuilding after wartime damage.

The congregation wants to swap traditional harvest bounty for newspapers in a bid to set a record.

Church officials want to collect the maximum number of copies of different world newspapers in one place.

They are asking publishers from across the UK and abroad to submit titles published between September 2 and September 8 this year to reach their target of 2007 different newspapers under one roof.

Although no record currently exists, St Bride’s wants the feat to be officially recognised in the Guinness World Records.

The front page of each paper will be removed and displayed in every available part of the church on October 14.

St Bride’s has maintained its connections with the journalism community since England’s first printing press was brought to the area where the church now stands in 1500.

The record bid has received backing from journalism organisations including the Newspaper Society, the Commonwealth Press Union, the Society of Editors and the London Press Club, and the inside pages will be sent for recycling.