
Nearly 3,000 people came together to break a world record for the most human Smurfs in one place.

In total, 2,762 blue-painted and white-capped participants met in Lauchringen on the Upper Rhine, Germany to break the record that had previously belonged to students in Wales.

Three years ago, there was an initial attempt to break the record, which was set in 2009 and stood at 2,510, but it failed.

Today, organisers were delighted to announce they had surpassed the old mark with children and adults all taking part.

The ever-popular Smurfs were created by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford in 1958.

And today's event showed that the cartoon characters are still loved by many, as the near-3000 strong crowd enjoyed the sun in an array of Smurf-inspired outfits.

Participants talk to the press during a gathering of people dressed as Smurfs to be counted as part of a world record attempt

The young and the old came together at the Smurf gathering in Lauchringen, Germany to break the world record that had stood for a decade

Five smiling women painted blue and dressed as Smurfettes pose for a photo during the gathering of nearly 3000 people

2,762 blue-painted and white-capped participants met in Lauchringen on the Upper Rhine, Germany to break the record

Three years ago, there was an initial attempt to break the record, which was set in 2009 and stood at 2,510, but it failed

However, delighted event organisers confirmed that this year they had managed to surpass the record as thousands descended on the village in Germany

All sorts of costumes were on display at the gathering, with beer flowing as the participants milled about and enjoyed themselves

The passionate participants went all the way, painting their skin to blue so that they resembled the popular cartoon characters

As the day went on, some of the blue paint began to fade - though eager helpers were on hand to help some participants top up when they needed to

Participants wave from a lift in excitement as they take in the near-3000 people who took part in the Smurf event in Germany

Enterprising stall owners also took part in the event, selling food and beer to the swelling crowds throughout the day

The event wasn't just open to adults, with hundreds of children also taking part, despite the Smurfs being older cartoons

Some Smurf fans loved the cartoons so much that they made the event a family affair, turning up with young children and babies in push chairs

This group of friends co-ordinated their costumes and posed happily for a photo, with the group even plumping for long white beards

Hot date! This couple even got themselves a Smurf tail each as they joined in with their fellow thousands of cartoon fans