Story By: Ernest Bio Bogore, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

Thousands of residents in a French town have ignored warnings against forming large groups to try to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Smurfs.

The record attempt took place on Saturday 7th March in Landerneau in the north-western French department of Finistere.

More than 3,500 people reportedly gathered to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people dressed a sSmurfs in a single place, which was set at 2,762 in the German town of Lauchringen last year.

According to reports, the count still has to be validated by an official who will send their conclusions to the Guinness World Records.

The attempt came as French officials recommended against gathering in large groups to contain the spread of COVID-19, with the country suffering 1,412 confirmed cases of the disease leading to 30 deaths.

One of the participants said: “We figured we wouldn’t worry, and that as French people we wouldn’t give up on our attempt to break the record.

“Now we’re champions of the world… there’s no risk. We’re going to Smurferise the coronavirus!”

The day after the record attempt, the French government banned events involving more than 1,000 people.

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