Pianists face nervous wait for record bid result
BBCOrganisers of a bid to break the world record for the largest number of people playing a piano in relay are waiting for the result with bated breath.
The attempt to defeat the current record of 169 pianists, which was set in Hong Kong earlier this year, kicked off at Sunderland's The Fire Station on Sunday morning.
It was organised by Sunderland Music City and the charity's CEO Michelle Daurat said she believed 174 people had taken part, but the record would not be confirmed until the Guinness World Records team reviewed video footage.
"The atmosphere was just really incredible," she said.
The concert, which began at 08:00 GMT and ended at about 18:30, was part of efforts to fundraise for poverty charity Love, Amelia.
Ms Daurat said there were multiple moments during the day when it looked as if the team would not be able to beat the record.
"We had a couple of people drop out unexpectedly," she said.
It meant she had to go to the local pub to drag three or four people to take part.
Pianists also had to call friends and family to join in last minute.
Ms Daurat called it a "lovely show of great human nature".
"The money, the giving up their time, the dropping everything to come out in the horrible rain to help us out," she said.
For the attempt to be valid, the performer's hands had to be on the keys of the piano at all times, even when switching with the next.
"[While switching] one person had a hand on the piano, and the next person had their hand on the piano at the same time," Ms Daurat said.
She said the youngest person to take part had been six and that the oldest was in their 70s.
"We had incredible talent from across Sunderland and the North East," she said.
She added it could take the Guinness team up to three months to officially confirm the record.
