They were dancing for a place in the history books – and they succeeded in style.

Hundreds of dancers gathered in the city centre, on Sunday, to mark the climax of the One Leicester – One Rhythm Dance Festival Grand Finale.

There were 48 different dance styles on show ranging from tap and salsa to Polish polka, bangra and even people dancing the timewarp, mashed potato and hula.

They strutted their stuff to help smash the world record for the most dance styles performed simultaneously to one music track in two minutes. After a nervy wait, an official judge from the Guinness World Records announced that they had smashed the record, and participants screamed and cheered.

Maggie Shutt, festival and events manager for Leicester City Council, said: "It has been a fantastic experience.

"It is a city full of different cultures and this has really brought them together.

"So many people have worked very hard to make this possible."

About 300 dancers from community groups across Leicester joined a colourful parade from St Peter's Square, Highcross, to Humberstone Gate at 3pm.

They assembled in Humberstone Gate at 4pm for the world record attempt.

Young dancers from Stagecoach, based at Leicester High School for Girls, performed modern jazz.

Kajan Patel, eight, said: "It was really fun.

"I was a bit scared at first, but then excited that we broke the record."

Adam Rock, 19, from Birstall, was performing with Polish dance group Polesie.

He said: "It's good that the dancing actually means something and that we broke the world record."

Ballerina Rebecca Wormleighton, 16, from Enderby, was dancing with friends from Leicester College.

She said: "I was nervous before it started, but when we started I really enjoyed it. It was amazing to break the record."

Mark and Jill Hewitt, from Groby, were there to watch some young relatives take part.

Mrs Hewitt said: "The procession and the whole afternoon has been a lot of fun to watch."

The dancers broke the previous record, set during the Big Dance for the Mayor of London, in 2006, where more than 700 people danced in 44 different styles in Trafalgar Square.

The day ended with a huge fireworks display.