MORE than 1,000 'vampires' celebrated the 125th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s Dracula by breaking a quirky world record in Whitby.
The seaside town, and particularly its Abbey, is famous for inspiring Stoker's classic Gothic tale and on Thursday evening 1,369 people dressed as vampires gathered at the iconic ruins.
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They broke the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires.
The previous record was 1,039 set in Doswell, Virginia, in 2011.
English Heritage took to social media to say: “We’ve just broken the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires with 1,369 vampires.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has come along to Whitby Abbey to help make this happen – you all looked fang-tastic!”
The novel Dracula was first published in 1897, and Stoker’s legendary tale was said to have been inspired by a trip to Whitby in 1890.
Jack Brookbank, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, told the PA news agency at the site: “There are some amazing costumes around.
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“We are quite strict about the official costume that is allowed.
"This is a traditional fancy dress vampire costume.
“It must include black shoes, black trousers or dress, waistcoat, shirt, black cape or collared overcoat and fangs on the top set of teeth.
“This one I definitely have been looking forward to.”
The “vampires” needed to stand together in the same place for five minutes to break the record, which they did by more than 300 people.
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