SCHOOLCHILDREN in Dorset banded together to try and break a world record and raise awareness of deaf children.

Schools across the UK united to take part in the Sign2Sing project that aims to break the record for the largest number of people signing and singing together at once.

Hundreds of children packed into their school halls in Dorset for the event.

Pupils took part from Wyke Regis Infants School, Chickerell Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School, St John’s Primary School in Weymouth, joined those from Grove Infants School and Sing, Sign and Play on Portland, Portesham School and Thorners Primary School in Litton Cheney.

In 2008, 13,418 people set the record for the greatest number of people singing and signing at once. This year 100,000 people signed up to take part.

The children had to learn the 1970s hit song by The New Seekers, ‘I’d like to teach the world to sing.’ At 2.45pm yesterday all the children gathered nationwide to try and break the record.

Teaching assistants at Wyke Regis Infant School Cher Bradshaw and Penny Alexander taught the children the signing.

Mrs Bradshaw said: “We have been practising for about four weeks. We already have children in the school that use sign language in class and we wanted to involve the entire school and raise deaf awareness.

“The children have been really enjoying it, they have been so enthusiastic.”

Singing co-ordinator Peta Meadows, said: “It’s been really great. We really want to break the record, the children would love it.”

The children said they had really enjoyed the day.

Seven-year-old Erin Gray said: “I was a bit shy at first but I hope we break the world record. I really enjoyed the signing and would like to do it in the future.

“I just love singing and dancing.”

Thomas Hussey, seven, said: “I enjoyed learning to sign. It was good fun and a nice song.”

Sign2Sing work with SignHealth, a national charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of deaf people, who organised the record-breaking attempt.

A spokesman for the charity said that they would have to wait to find out if they have broken the record.

He said: “Unfortunately we won’t know if we have broken the record until all the entrants have been ratified and witness statements coming in.

“If all the 100,000 children and adults who signed up to do it took part then we will break the record, but we will have to wait and see.”