Hastings bid to organise the world's longest Nutty Train dance

Steve Hall, 54, is calling for people to take part in the attempt next month when the band visits town next month.

The existing record for the longest Madness Nutty Train was set in 2011 at Butlin’s in Minehead where 402 people lined up to perform the dance, made famous in Madness’ 1979 hit, One Step Beyond.

Steve said: “There are quite a few locals who are massive Madness fans that couldn’t get tickets for the pier gig, so I think a Madness party in the newly re-furbished Bottle Alley and on the beach is the next best thing. I would like to try and set a new world record for the number of people dancing the Madness Nutty Train, with everyone wearing fedora hats and black sunglasses on Saturday, May 21, the day Madness play live at the pier opening.

“The idea is to get everyone into Bottle Alley, dance the length of it, come out and up onto the promenade, dance along it and then back into Bottle Alley. Around 300 people have so far shown interest. Madness was big when I was a teenager. We are hoping to have the world record attempt made official.”

He said the world record attempt would be made at around 9pm when Madness will be playing live on the pier.

Steve added: “Any donations received on the night will be going to the Hastings and St Leonards Voluntary Lifeguards, who do a brilliant job on the Hastings and St Leonards beaches.”

Madness lead singer Graham McPherson, aka Suggs, screwed the last plank into Hastings Pier’s decking on March 22. The Hastings-born pop star completed the re-decking of the pier after a £15m renovation over the past two years.

For more information on next month’s world record attempt visit Facebook at www.facebook.com and search for ‘The Madness Nutty Train Mile’.

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