A RECORD attempt to perform the largest Haka in the world at a Darlington stadium has failed.

More than 4,000 children took part in the iconic tribal dance at the Mowden Park Arena in March to celebrate the announcement that the New Zealand rugby team will use the stadium during the upcoming World Cup.

The event was recorded and all the evidence submitted to Guinness Book of Records officials who have now ruled that the numbers taking part fully were not enough to beat the 4,028 who took part in a mass Haka in France last year.

Despite the disappointment of not making the record books, Anne Rose, community manager at Darlington Mowden Park RFC, said the club was “overwhelmed” by the positive feedback from all the schools that took part in the event.

She said: “This isn’t the result we were hoping for, however, I’m sure everyone will all agree that the event was a fantastic opportunity for young people - and school staff - to be part of an event linked with welcoming the current World Champions, the New Zealand All Blacks, to Darlington for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.”

As a thank you to all the pupils who took part in the Haka, Mowden Park will be issuing schools with free tickets for the participating children and staff for Mowden Park’s 1st XV upcoming games.

Club officials are also working with Rugby World Cup 2015 on a community event for when the All Blacks are training at the arena in October