Something to smile about on an otherwise glum Monday morning...

Bez and Shaun Ryder were among the 406 individuals that have set a new Guinness World Record for maracas shaking.

Clint Boon was also shaking it like a Polaroid, um, shaker, keeping time best he could to the Happy Mondays' 'Step On'. The event was organised to mark the launch of Xfm in Manchester.

Craig Glenday, editor of the Guinness Book Of Records, told newspaper the Daily Record:

"This is one of those cool mass-participation records. The whole point is to get together with mates and have fun."

DiS is trying to organise a similar event, only with washboards, for this June. The location: Hyde Park Corner. This: might be a fib.