The people of Bath have spent part of their bank holiday weekend waltzing their city into the record books.

No fewer than 630 dancers of all ages and abilities came together today to break the world record for the number of people waltzing at the same time.

Organised as part of the city’s second dance festival, the 315 couples twirled away their Sunday morning against the historic backdrop of the Abbey and the Roman Baths.

Some of the dancers had dressed for the occasion, while others had simply been out shopping and had taken the opportunity to liven up their Sunday.

Pensioner May Clothier from Weston arrived on her own but was quickly partnered with a German university student called Fred.

She said: “It was so exciting. My favourite part was the atmosphere, it was wonderful, people of all ages dancing together.

“I was so thrilled to be here and wanted to take part to make sure they made the numbers for the world record.

“I have always enjoyed dancing and I used to do it regularly, but now I am older it is much harder.”

Betty and Alan Davis, from Swainswick, are members of the Bath Dance Centre and said ballroom dancing was something people of all ages could take part in.

Mrs Davis, 73, said: “Dancing is wonderful because it is such a social thing and anybody can take part. It is surprising the numbers that are here from our dance club, we have seen a lot of people we know.”

Principal of the Bath Dance Centre Paula Goodyear said she had encouraged a lot of her pupils to take part.

She said: “It is great to see so many of them here today, the atmosphere has been fantastic.”

One of the directors of the festival Joanna Kucia said she was very pleased with the way it had gone.

She said: “I’m just so happy that we made it. I want to say a big thank you to everybody for taking part and making this happen. If it wasn’t for all of those people then we wouldn’t have made it.

“I was worried about the large number of people in a fairly small space and we were expecting a few bumps, but everyone was very considerate. It was all so smooth.”

She added that the rest of the dance festival events had also been going well and that there had been a good turn out for the taster classes during Saturday.

Representing the younger generation of dancers were students from the University of Bath.

Cheryl Brighton and Louise Rice took part with eight of their friends who are all involved with the Latin and Ballroom club at the University.

Miss Rice, 19, who is a first year studying biology, said: “Dancing is such a nice Sunday activity and we have made a lot of new friends through our club.

“It is really good to see everybody down here today, we have had a great time.”

Margaret Book, 75, from Larkhall was partners with her friend Cynthia Eglinton, 78, also from Larkhall.

She said: “I thought it was fabulous. I think it is a happy occasion and it has been an unforgettable day.

“I have never been in the Guinness Book of Records before and I am now!”

Dave Harris, from Bathford, was dancing with his wife Edwina and said he enjoyed dancing because it was good exercise and good for his health.

He said: “Dancing is good because it keeps the grey matter working.”

The previous world record for the number of people dancing the waltz simultaneously had been 242 couples and had been set in Austria.

Guinness World Record adjudicator Katie Forde congratulated everyone who took part.

She said: “This is a fantastic achievement, so I want to say a big well done congratulations to everybody.

“To beat the previous record by such a big number is so fantastic.”

The dance festival will continue tomorrow with an afternoon show at the Assembly Rooms featuring Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent and Flavia.

For more information go to www.bathdancefest.org.uk.