ENGLAND will be pulling out all the stops for the World Cup this summer - and they can take inspiration from a Hampshire school which has smashed a footballing world record.

A group of 65 pupils from Toynbee Secondary School, in Eastleigh, joined 15 other schools throughout England to set a new world "keepy uppy" record of 459 yesterday, beating the previous record of 446, which had stood for the last seven years.

A keepy uppy involves keeping a football in the air using any part of the body.

After months of planning involving the South Coast England Fans and the FA, the synchronised event took place at 11am on Wednesday, when children at ten locations across the country had to do keepy uppies simultaneously for ten seconds.

Tim Murray of South Coast England Fans, one of the event organisers, said he was "delighted" with the teamwork shown by so many children, teachers, classmates and families who contributed to the new world record.

He said: "Organising the event was a huge logistical challenge, and to set a world record is a magnificent achievement for everyone involved."

The world record attempt was witnessed by two independent officials at each location and is subject to confirmation by Guinness World Records.

England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson congratulated the England fans and the children on the new world record.

He said: "Achieving a new world record on this size and scale is a marvellous achievement in its own right.

"It also highlights what can be achieved through teamwork and planning, which are vital for sporting success. It also sends out the important message of positive fan initiatives ahead of the World Cup."

The event, which included a performance by local band LeberWon, also raised money for SOS Children's Villages, the world's largest charity for orphaned and abandoned children, which is an FA and FIFA Charity Partner for 2006.