Hundreds gather for world record exercise bid

More than 1,200 people gathered at Chesterfield FC's stadium for the world record attempt

Thousands of football fans get a workout every week as they stand up, sit down, jump and shout over 90 minutes.

But Chesterfield FC's stadium was the scene for a different kind of workout on Thursday, as more than 1,200 people gathered in an attempt to break a world record.

A total of 1,224 people officially registered as taking part in a bid to break the record for the largest number of people doing chair-based exercises in one place, at one time, according to Age UK Derby and Derbyshire, which organised the event.

The current record stands at 731 and data from the latest attempt will now be submitted to Guinness for official verification.

The aim of the event was to highlight the importance of chair-based exercise and how it can help prevent falls.

Age UK runs chair-based exercise classes in the county to encourage older people to stay active.

Emma Richards, from the charity, said it was "incredible" to be part of the gathering.

For the record attempt there were two independent verifiers, who are chair exercise tutors and made sure all the rules were followed.

"We are confident we have smashed this record. I am sure [it] will be successful," Ms Richards said.

"We have lots and lots of lovely elderly people in, who think 'actually this is good for me'.

"It is letting them continue the things they love, such as going for walks, doing the gardening, getting on the floor and playing with the grandchildren, and ultimately staying out of care homes longer."

Janine LeMire, who took part in the record attempt, described it as "wonderful" and said it was important that older people stayed active

One of the people taking part was Janine LeMire, 75, from Newbold in Derbyshire, who said: "The whole idea to break a world record and get everyone together is wonderful and it worked.

"We know we need to do exercise because suddenly you start to fall apart. I was camping just a couple of years ago, riding camels and things like that - so it is important to keep up the exercise."

It was not just older people who took part in the challenge.

Pupils from Swanwick Primary School, Brockwell Junior School, Outwood Academy Hasland Hall and students from Chesterfield College also joined in.

The range of exercises varied from gentle foot movements to dancing to the song YMCA by the Village People.

The current record of 731 is held by the Hong Kong Women Development Association Limited.