SCHOOLS in Blackburn and Chorley have helped to break a Guinness World Record for the most people performing sign language simultaneously.

Children from Newfield School in Blackburn, and Balshaw Lane Community Primary School in Euxton, were among the 116,980 pupils and teachers from across Great Britain to take part in the challenge.

Steve Powell, chief executive at SignHealth, the healthcare charity for deaf people, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have broken the world record for the third year running.

“Sign2sing is our annual record breaking attempt for the most people signing and singing a song at the same time.

“We organised sign2sing to help raise awareness of deafness and the work we do at SignHealth.

“It’s a great way of engaging youngsters to learn and understand the different forms of communication in a fun and memorable way.

“The event was also a fundraiser through a voluntary donation from those who took part.”

The money will be used to continue the charity’s work helping to improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of deaf people.