People across the county and beyond were in fine voice tonightas they joined forces to break a festive world record.

Norfolk congregations at Swainsthorpe, Great Yarmouth, Mulbarton and Heacham were among those taking part in a nationwide bid to beat the current Guinness World Record for the largest number of people singing carols together across multiple locations.

The aim was to encourage more than 15,000 people to take part in 15 minutes of carolling at 7pm last night, and the carols sung included Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Away in a Manger.

And they smashed the previous record set by Disney in 2009 with 17,117 singers.

The Rev Sally Gaze, team rector at St Peter's Church, Swainsthorpe, said 61 people took part there.

She said: 'We are only a little church and every seat was full. It was lovely and everyone enjoyed singing all the carols back to back. We had to sing for 15 minutes and even after that time people kept on singing!'

The world record attempt was organised by Biblelands and Premier Christian Radio, and is part of the Christmas Starts with Christ campaign which aims to engage people with the true meaning of Christmas.