YOUNGSTERS at a west Hull youth centre are celebrating after becoming world record holders, having made the biggest ball of cling film.
About 35 members of the Hessle Road Network spent weeks building up the ball, which weighed in at 36st – smashing the previous record of 20st.
The bizarre idea came about while some of the younger children were learning about world record exploits.
Youth and community worker Sarah Bailey decided they should try to set their own world record.
She spent hours leafing through the world records to come up with one the network could tackle.
She said: "The young people thought it would be a good idea to try their own world record attempt.
"I looked for something both the younger and older kids could get involved in.
"It took a long time to come up with this but we quickly got going and received help from Arco, which provided the cling film.
"We naively set aside a day for it but we had only reached 5st by the end of the day.
"The young people were very disappointed but we kept going and, as the ball got bigger, everyone got more excited.
"It was great fun and it brought everyone together."
Jordan Worner, 12, has been involved in creating the cling film ball from the start.
He said: "We started this three months ago, so it's been a long time.
"A lot of hard work and time has gone in to beating this world record.
"It feels amazing now to have finally done it and I feel proud to have been involved."
Zoe McCann, 15, has also been heavily involved.
She said: "It has been good fun and really interesting.
"It helped us get to know each other better.
"After the first day there was disappointment but we kept going and realised we were going to do it."
Lorrimar Weighing Ltd, of Hull, agreed to verify the weight.
John Hammond, of the company, said: "We have been weighing the ball throughout to keep an eye on progress.
"It was surprising how much they beat the world record by but we had to bring in the industrial scales to weigh it at the end."
The ball has even been given a name – Bob Clingford.
Money raised from sponsorship will be put toward the cost of trips and activities for young people in the Hessle Road area.
Julie Robinson, chief officer at the Network, said: "We had a party for all the young people involved in helping to break the record as well as everyone else who has supported us in our record attempt.
"Now intend to display the cling film ball in the cloister area and hope that, in time, it will become a local tourist attraction."
Local ward councillor Daren Hale said: "It is a brilliant achievement for the Hessle Road Network.
"Breaking this world record shines a light on the good work the network does.
"This is something that now can't be taken away from them."
