ALMOST 500 pupils and staff at Woodfield Academy School transformed into butterflies as part of a world record bid.

The school aimed to enter the Guinness World Records for the largest gathering of people dressed as butterflies on June 11.

The target to beat was 250, but that figure was smashed with a whopping 496 participants taking part, all dressed in outfits made from recycled card donated from Tesco and deely bobbers.

The world-record attempt was part of a school project to bring children closer to nature.

Event organiser, science teacher Claire Taylor, said: "It was an amazing effort by all the staff and pupils in the academy and a lovely way to highlight all the work we have done this year to support our local wildlife.

"We had a fantastic atmosphere and all our pupils did an outstanding job."

Live butterflies were also released into the sky by headteacher Steve Bond.

He added: "How many of us can claim to have attempted a world record? This is a fabulous event and a tale we can all tell our children and grandchildren!"

The number of participants was independently verified by volunteers from a local Scout group and then checked by the volunteer stewards and independent adjudicators. Volunteer support included those from Imagination Street Redditch and Aspens Catering Company.

All evidence will be submitted to the Guinness World Records.

The world-record attempt follows a programme of changes that include classroom pets, a vegetable patch and creating homes for bugs and birds.

The school hopes to create a new outdoor classroom in the near future.