Creeping creatures and grizzly ghouls took over Leicester's Orton Square for a Thriller of an attempt to break a world record.

They were among more than 500 Michael Jackson fans who assembled outside Curve on Saturday to perform a routine from the King of Pop's legendary hit song.

Dressed in ripped and bloodied clothing, and with ghoulish painted faces and scowling stares, the dancers gathered to mark what would have been Jackson's 51st birthday.

Performing in unison, they began the routine lying down and, as the music started, began to rise, claw hands at the ready, before launching into the song's jerky dance moves.

Official adjudicators from Guinness World Records will assess footage from the attempt to see how many dancers performed the routine correctly before confirming whether the current record of 242 was broken. It is not known when the verdict will be delivered.

But organisers are confident they will beat it by more than 200.

Anand Bhatt, principal of Belgrave-based Bollywood dance company Desi Masti and chief organiser of the event, said he had been well and truly "thrilled".

"To have over 500 people dance to one of the most famous songs ever recorded was an amazing sight and a fitting tribute to Michael Jackson.

"I'm sure, while he would have been a little embarrassed, had he been here he would have cherished the moment."

For most people taking part, rehearsals began more than two months ago. The performers took part in workshops to learn the routine and were given DVD copies of the music video to help perfect the steps at home.

But friends Danni Mayes, 24, Suzie Riley, 24, and Jane Riley, 28, only began rehearsing five days before the record attempt.

Danni, from Twyford, near Melton, said: "It was pretty intensive, but it was definitely worth it. It was amazing to see so many people there."

Many of the dancers chose to raise sponsorship for their performance.

Sunil Patel, an IT worker and Desi Masti dancer from Rushey Mead, Leicester, raised more than £250 for Cancer Research UK after his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 46-year-old has spent the past six weeks perfecting the routine.

He said: "When I was younger, I used to dance to Thriller all the time."

Among the youngest taking part was nine-year-old Robyn May, from Clarendon Park, Leicester.

Before the music began, she said: "It's so exciting to see so many people here."

Watch a video of the record bid