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Finger painting way into record book Finger painting way into record book
(about 4 hours later)
Tilly Nield, 5, will be one of the children taking part in the record attempt Tilly Nield, 5, was one of the children who took part in the record attempt
Thousands of children are celebrating at Belfast Zoo after rolling up their sleeves and setting a world record - for the biggest finger painting ever created.
Their massive canvas, all 2,090 square metres of it, is being examined by two adjudicators approved by Guinness World Records.
The former record for a 2,000 square metre painting was set in Austria in 2007.
The new record will not become official until declared so by Guinness World Records, with confirmation not expected for a couple of weeks.
About 3,000 children and childminders descended on the zoo for the record bid and for once no-one cared just how messy the youngsters got.
The event was organised by NICMA - the Northern Ireland Child Minding Association - as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.
Thrilled at the success of their attempt, association director Bridget Nodder said: "We wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate our anniversary."
The previous record was set in Austria in 2007 but has been left trailing by 699sq ft (65 sq metres) behind the monster spread out across the overflow car park at the zoo.
The Belfast bid had a head start, more than 4,000 children had already contributed to the artwork ahead of the final push at the zoo where the huge painting was stitched together.
It features a central image of a housed to symbolise the home-based care offered by childminders.
Belfast Lord Mayor Naomi Long paid a visit during the attempt and said it was "a great opportunity for children to get involved in a creative project which is tremendous fun."
Thousands of children descended on Belfast Zoo on Thursday, all eager to get their hands dirty.Thousands of children descended on Belfast Zoo on Thursday, all eager to get their hands dirty.
It is hoped that they will be able to paint their way into the Guinness Book of World Records with the world's largest finger painting.It is hoped that they will be able to paint their way into the Guinness Book of World Records with the world's largest finger painting.
To succeed their canvas has to be bigger than the current record holder, a 2,000 square metre painting made in Austria in 2007.To succeed their canvas has to be bigger than the current record holder, a 2,000 square metre painting made in Austria in 2007.
The record attempt is being staged by NICMA - the Childminding Association as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.The record attempt is being staged by NICMA - the Childminding Association as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.
Two thousand canvasses will be painted then sewn together.Two thousand canvasses will be painted then sewn together.
Depicting a house, NICMA hope it will symbolise the home-based care offered by childminders.Depicting a house, NICMA hope it will symbolise the home-based care offered by childminders.
"We wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate our anniversary," said NICMA's Director, Bridget Nodder."We wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate our anniversary," said NICMA's Director, Bridget Nodder.
"And we've been overwhelmed with the interest we've already had from children, childminders and the public. We're pretty confident we can beat the record.""And we've been overwhelmed with the interest we've already had from children, childminders and the public. We're pretty confident we can beat the record."
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Naomi Long launched the event at 1030 BST.Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Naomi Long launched the event at 1030 BST.
"This wonderful and ambitious event will provide a great opportunity for children to get involved in a creative project which is tremendous fun," she said."This wonderful and ambitious event will provide a great opportunity for children to get involved in a creative project which is tremendous fun," she said.
"At the same time, the event is helping to highlight the very valuable role of NICMA and the thousands of childminders who care for children in Northern Ireland.""At the same time, the event is helping to highlight the very valuable role of NICMA and the thousands of childminders who care for children in Northern Ireland."
More than 4,000 children have already contributed to the artwork, used 1,000 litres of paint and painted on 3,500 metres of canvas during the advance painting which has taken place for this event.More than 4,000 children have already contributed to the artwork, used 1,000 litres of paint and painted on 3,500 metres of canvas during the advance painting which has taken place for this event.