More than 600 ’Manx fairies’ turned up to support a world record attempt in Douglas on Saturday.

The aim was to assemble the most people dressed as fairies in one place: to break the record, which was set in Leeds, would have taken more than 878 people.

The event was organised by Douglas Town Centre Management, in conjunction with the Children’s Centre.

The fairies gathered in Villiers Square, before taking part in a procession along Strand Street, Castle Street and Marina Road before arriving at the Villa Marina Gardens for a head count. Rules were strictly enforced: to qualify as a fairy, participants had to come dressed in a tutu and wings and have a wand.

Many of those taking part had been making their outfits at special workshops held at public libraries around the island.

Joff Whitton from the Children’s Centre said: ’We had 889 people into the event which would have broken the record but only 677 of them were in costume or stayed for the head count.

’We were so close. We have definitely broken the record for the number of fairies on the Isle of Man. Everyone is very keen to give it another go next year.’

â?¢ To order pictures from the event visit www.iomtoday.co.im/buyaphoto