A new level of passion about one's culture and national identity was noticed at the Guinness World Records Day on Thursday.

With more than 300,000 people involved in the "Guinness" event of 2011, one saw a wide array of records being set and several being broken too.

The star attractions of the mega event included the largest gathering of people, 262 in number, dressed up as leprechauns in Dublin; 334 tea drinkers participating in the largest cream party who made the record with scones, jam, cream and tea in Essex and a 91-year-old Bernice Mary Bates from Pinellas Park being officially recognised as the oldest yoga teacher.

"This year, it seems to be about bringing records back home to the people who are most passionate about enjoying their culture and national identity," Craig Glenday, editor-In-chief of the Guinness Book of World Records, was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

In the UK, "Guinness" success was garnered by artist Joe Hill who broke the record for the longest and largest surface area 3D painting which measures 1160.45m2.

Among the inventors, Edd China rode the world's fastest toilet with a 42.25 mph and Colin Furze attempted the fastest mobility scooter at 71.59 mph. Perry Watkins grabbed headlines with his smallest roadworthy car measuring 41 in high and 26 in wide at 30 mph.

In the rest of the world, other records included the largest number of people whistling from Switzerland, a gathering of 368 Abba impersonators in Melbourne (Australia), Alastair Galpin from New Zealand for the dubious skill of champagne cork spitting at 7.10m, largest speed-dating event in China, the largest colouring book in Nigeria, the largest rice-cracker in Japan, the largest chocolate bar from Italy and the largest Zumba class in Netherlands. As many as 221 pupils from Longleaf Elementary School, New Port Richey, Florida, set the record for the largest hula hoop workout record.

All records set for the Guinness World Records Day will be shortlisted for the next edition of the book.

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