PUPILS at North Yorkshire secondary school pulled together to crack a Christmas world record.

Tadcaster Grammar School smashed the Guinness World Record for the number of crackers pulled simultaneously.

The whole school turned out in force and pulled together beating the record of 749 crackers with a massive total of 1,401.

It began as an idea to gain a place as house captain by pupil Greg Brewster, who along with fellow house captain Sophie Kaiper-Holmes, masterminded the event and made it happen.

Greg said: “The idea started in our heads and we never thought it would become a reality. It was a lot of hard work and took four weeks to organise, but the end result was well worth all that time and effort and what a result.

“The main idea was to raise money for charity which we did, but we also wanted to improve school spirit and what better time to bring the whole school together than with a bit of Christmas spirit and a lot of crackers thrown in,” added Sophie. The spirit was better than we imagined and everyone co-operated. It was a bit like a military operation, but it went like clockwork.”

Although, Greg and Sophie know they have set a new Guinness World Record, all the evidence has to be sent off as proof.

Sophie said: "We are anxiously awaiting verification of our success and are busy compiling all the evidence – video footage, photographs, radio interviews etc, but we feel we have smashed it.

“We would like to thank everyone who volunteered, all the people who came to help from outside school, members of staff, students, our house leader Mrs Weatherill, our lead tutor Mrs Hubbard and anyone who contributed in any way.

Nicola Weatherill said: “As Greg and Sophie’s house leader, I am incredibly proud and impressed by the attitude of these two young people. Greg came up with the idea and they have organised the event from start to finish; researching the rules, writing letters to get support and liaising with various companies.

“They have done an amazing job and managed to raise £424.00 for charity too once all the crackers have been paid for. I am also really impressed by the community spirit at Tadcaster with all students taking part in the event."