Last updated at 17:04, Friday, 26 October 2012

Volunteers have helped smash a world record by planting more than 100,000 daffodil bulbs in one day at a tourist attraction.

Lowther Castle bulb planting

More than 600 people, from toddlers to grandparents, turned out to support the record attempt at Lowther Castle and Gardens, near Penrith.

Although they must now await official confirmation from the Guinness Book of Records, project manager Andrew Mercer is confident they did more than enough.

“The previous record was about 20,000 bulbs and we’d smashed that in the first half hour. We ended up getting 100,000 in the ground in about two hours,” he said.

The mass planting, held on Saturday, is part of an ongoing £9m project to restore the historic castle and grounds.

Project leaders appealed to the wider community to come along and support the record attempt, to plant the most daffodil bulbs in a single day.

Mr Mercer said they were amazed by the response, even despite the dismal weather.

“We were genuinely flattered and humbled by the support we had. I think there were 613 people, including hordes of kids, which was lovely to see.

“There were lots of family groups and there was a really lovely community spirit.

“It was the first major planting in these gardens for probably 80 or 90 years so it’s great to have had so many people involved,” he said.

He now hopes that all of those involved will return to the gardens in the spring to see the results of their work.

“The record claim is on its way to the officials but in a way that’s almost incidental.

“Whatever happens they have created something really special that will be seen and enjoyed for years to come.

“It’s nice that everyone had an opportunity to make their mark. They have helped us do something we clearly wouldn’t have been able to do on our own,” added Mr Mercer.

The day saw sacks full of daffodil bulbs planted in borders that measure a total distance of about one mile.

First published at 17:01, Friday, 26 October 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk