A PETITION protesting at the rejection of Deal Carnival’s world record bid for the number of people dancing to the song YMCA has been launched by the town's mayor.

The world record was attempted at Deal Carnival on July 31, with organisers claiming 23,805 people danced to the Village People hit, which would have smashed the previous record of 13,588, set at a baseball game in the US two years ago.

But Guinness World Records has turned down the bid, saying the evidence sent by the carnival organisers was not conclusive enough.

Deal Regatta chairman John Trickey said the carnival organisers did everything Guinness requested and he accused the Book of World Records publishers of “moving the goalposts” by now making requirements not made at the time.

Although the carnival organisers are still claiming the record, they are to appeal against the Guinness decision, and a petition was launched at Deal Market on Saturday by Mayor Sue Delling.

Mr Trickey wants as many of the 23,805 revellers who made the world record bid to sign the petition, which he plans to present to Guinness.

Cllr Delling said the Guinness decision was “absolutely outrageous.” She added: “Guinness have moved the goalposts and that is appalling. It is Deal’s record and I hope lots of people sign the petition.”

The world record attempt was broadcast live on KM-fm 106.8-96.4 by presenter Spencer Cork, after the radio station handed out stickers to calculate the numbers.

Mr Cork, who helped launch the petition on Saturday, said: “I am very, very disappointed at this decision by Guinness. A lot of hard work went into the world record bid and the petition will let Guinness know what people in Deal think of them.”