TALENTS performing arts students from Taunton have helped to successfully set a new Guinness World Record.

The pupils, from Stagecoach Performing Arts Taunton, joined the challenge last summer.

The plan was for 73 different Stagecoach groups to simultaneously perform Disney's Beauty and The Beast Junior across the UK and further abroad.

The challenge was undertaken as part of Stagecoach's 30th anniversary celebrations.

The Taunton performance took place on July 1 at Bishop Fox's School.

Stagecoach linked with schools nationwide and abroad, including Germany and Canada, to pull off the record.

Anne Garrett, principal of Stagecoach Taunton, said: “The students are thrilled to receive this news, given the work and preparation that went into masterminding this international event.

"We believe events like these truly encapsulate the Stagecoach ethos of creative courage for life and the success of Taunton and of the wider network is something the students can be proud of for years to come.”

Independent adjudicators have now verified the submissions and confirmed a new Guinness World Record has been secured for the largest number of simultaneous performances of one show.