MORE than 1,500 staff and students from Wiltshire College came together today to attempt a Guinness World Record for the ‘Most people wearing recyclable hats simultaneously across multiple locations’.

The challenge took place across 10 sites, including the college’s four main campuses in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Salisbury and Lackham.

The world record attempt was aimed at raising awareness around a variety of important life issues, including the environment and sustainability, as well as making it into the record books.

Wiltshire College Principal and Chief Executive Di Dale, who was at the Lackham Campus, wore a lily pad hat made especially for her by Level 3 Art and Design Chippenham students Cheralynne Rendell and Emma Downs.

Ms Dale said: “I was delighted with my hat and feel the students have all been absolutely brilliant during the whole record attempt, from coming up with this novel idea to helping us to reduce our consumption of paper and supporting recycling within the college.

“Today was without any doubt a true College wide team effort of which we can be proud.

“We also really appreciate the support that members of the public, schools, representatives from local organisations and five mayors and deputy mayors across the county have given us to help attempt this World Record.”

The world record attempt saw students, staff and members of the public wearing hats under controlled conditions for six minutes.

All the hats were made from recyclable paper and included an impressive range of creative designs, with everything from berets and top hats to crowns, bonnets and even a khepresh.

The current record for the most people wearing paper hats simultaneously is 972, which was achieved last year in Japan by Aisin AW.Co.Ltd.

However, the staff and students will have a while to wait before they find out if they have broken the Guinness World Record, as the result could take up to six weeks to be confirmed.