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Page last updated at 18:27 GMT, Saturday, 24 October 2009 19:27 UK

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In pictures: Where's Wally record attempt

Where's Wally record attempt in Great Yarmouth (Photo: Emily Newman)

Hundreds of people dressed as red and white cartoon characters attempted a world record for the largest gathering of Where's Wallys in a single place in Great Yarmouth, on Saturday, 24 October, 2009.

The event looked to promote Great Yarmouth as a "fun place" and raise money for charity. Altogether 901 Wallys turned up at Market Place, just short of the world record set in New York with 1,052 children's book characters.

The Wally count was taken at 3pm, but although the world record was not beaten, all participants young and old still remained high in spirit. Photographs by Emily Newman.

The Where's Wally outfits were pre-ordered by all the participants in the record attempt, complete with stripy shirts, bobble hats and thick-rimmed black glasses.

Many different Great Yarmouth organisations took part to be Wallys for the afternoon. For every person who entered the record attempt, £1 was donated to Breast Cancer Care.

Great Yarmouth had hoped for 1,200 people to turn up to be entered into the Guinness Book of Records, but the unfortunate bad weather may have turned people away. Nevertheless, £1,200 was raised for charity.

"I am disappointed that we didn't beat the record but this was a fantastic attempt… the 901 Wally's here today have been absolutely magnificent," said Jonathan Newman from the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership.

"There has been a real carnival atmosphere all afternoon," added Jonathan. The intent of the Where's Wally children's books is for the reader to find the Wally character hidden in a group of people during frenzied activity.

Even if the world record was not quite broken, having chips from the market was always a winning treat! The first book in the Where's Wally series was published in 1987.

Other than books, Wally has appeared in a TV series, comic strip and in computer games. Participants at the record attempt included local businesses and academic establishments, such as Great Yarmouth College.