A rallying call has gone out for caped crusaders of all ages to gather in Martham this summer in a bid to break a world record – and put the village in the global spotlight.

Organisers of this year's Martham Carnival are hoping to beat the record for the largest gathering of superheroes, and are now urging visitors to the annual summer spectacular to suit-up and take part.

The current title was set by enthusiasts in 2010, after 1,580 costume-clad fans got together to mark the launch of animated film Megamind in Los Angeles. But the carnival team are hopeful they can knock the home of Hollywood off the top spot and put Martham in the limelight.

Emma-Jane Harley, who is among the carnival organisers, said: 'We'd like to get 2,000 just to make sure - we want to smash it rather than just scrape through. It's little ol' Martham taking on the might of LA.'

Emma-Jane came up with the idea of trying to set a world record as she thought it would be a nice way of bringing people together.

'It just snowballede' she added. 'We looked up the record and saw what it stood at and thought 'we could beat that'. It was a moment of madness.'

But there has already been a great reaction to the call with residents pledging to turn up in spandex suits, boots, masks and capes on carnival day – including an expectant mum and dad signing their baby up for the fun.

'We have had some people already register so it really does seem to have captured people's imagination,' Emma-Jane added.

'It would just be really good to put Martham and the UK on the map.'

Visitors keen to take part must come dressed as a hero from an approved list, but organisers have promised there is an alter-ego available for all ages – and are even trying to expand the roll call of saviours to take on a very British character.

Emma-Jane, who will be appearing as Wonder Woman, said: 'Guinness [World Records] have to pre-approve all the acceptable heroes. We have got a list drawn up and there's been some surprises as to who hasn't been accepted.

'We have asked them to reconsider Doctor Who because he's called the British Superman. But Supergran's been accepted. We want to have superheroes of all ages and it's not just a Martham event, we want as many people from the area to show up.'

The carnival runs from July 4 – 6 and the superhero gathering is on the Sunday. After the record attempt all suited saviours will take part in the annual procession through the village.

Anyone interested in taking part must come in full costume, and is urged to register. Email martham.carnival@live.co.uk or call Emma-Jane on 01493 749743.

? For details about the carnival programme www.carnivalmartham.wordpress.com or search for the Martham Carnival Facebook page.