MORE than 350 pupils at a Suffolk primary school have joined in a record-breaking bid to get as many people as possible singing and signing at the same time.

Combs Ford Primary School, Stowmarket, was one of dozens across the country taking part in Sign2Sing, organised as part of National Sing Up Day 2011.

More than 80,000 people are thought to have helped break the Guinness World Record yesterday afternoon when at 2.45pm they sang I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, accompanied by the appropriate sign language.

Combs Ford music co-ordinator Sue Tanner said the pupils had been particularly keen to get involved as the school has several children with hearing impairments, including one child who is completely deaf.

Pupils at Combs Ford, which even has a signing club, have been taught the skill for years and it has also been used to help some youngsters who have learning difficulties.

Mrs Tanner said: “It’s another teaching strategy we use and they all really enjoy it. One of my colleagues went to an education show where they were promoting Sign2Sing and they passed on the details and we contacted them and it has all gone on from there.

“The pupils have all been working very hard to prepare for this.”