LAUGHTER they say is the best medicine to take those blues away, but for one man sadness is the winner.

Comedian Kevin McCarthy was not smiling as he broke his world record. He kept a straight face for more than two hours and 26 minutes.

Shoppers in Southampton tried every gag in the book to win a smile, from pulling silly faces to cracking jokes but to no avail.

One female passer-by at the Bargate shopping centre even offered to reveal all but chickened out at the last minute.

Kevin was finally knocked over the edge after two hours 37 minutes by a security worker whose hyena laugh was enough to put anyone in hysterics.

Scores of people from children to pensioners tried in vain to get even a glimmer of a grin but Kevin could not find a ticklish mood.

He says his totally serious face was inspired by thoughts of tax demands, household bills and an estimate for his car repairs. He trained for the big event yesterday by watching the Parliamentary channel.

Sonic the Hedgehog from Sega-world, in the centre, made the audience laugh when he shimmied onto the stage and wiggled his bottom but not a titter from Kevin.

Manager of Segaworld Sally Clarke said: "There are quite a few things that you can do that will make him laugh but they are all a bit too rude - perhaps a moonie."

He remained serious when three-year-old Jamie McKay, from Shirley, pulled several funny faces.

In an attempt to get a chuckle Ben Cole, ten, from Eastleigh asked: "What do you call a man with a seagull on his head Cliff." But Kevin did not even snigger.

Ben said: "I know quite a few jokes but that was my favourite bar none."

Adam Carr, from Leighton Road, Itchen, asked a knock-knock joke - usually known for cheering people up - but still no smile.

The 14-year-old said: "I love jokes. I sometimes entertain relatives who come around to my house. I was trying to think of a good one but my mind went blank."

A smiling Kevin said afterwards: "I've never been so bored in my life. It is not hard, you just have to sit and be miserable, there's not much training involved.

"I am naturally quite happy and a jolly person, so this was quite alien. You have just got to think nasty horrible things."

He said he nearly lost his cool on three occasions during the event.

"The three-year-old boy with the wide mouth, the punk rocker and the last man who laughed like a hyena."

Organiser Tony Edwards said the world record-breaking attempt was just one of several events planned at the Bargate Centre as part of comedy week.

He said: "It was difficult to try and get people to try and make Kevin laugh because most people are shy but people started planning and plotting so it did get a bit dangerous."

He is now inviting people to try their hand at keep a straight face and beat the record.

More information is available by writing to The Bargate Centre, Management Suite, East Bargate, Southampton SO14 1HF.

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