SOME world records are truly achievements to be proud of, recognising the fastest, best or most impressive feats in a particular field.

But if you don't have a talent which can outshine everyone else on the planet, how do you find your way into the Guinness Book of Records?

Some south Essex individuals and groups have well and truly got creative, baring flesh, taking to the water and getting dressed up for the cause.

Here are just five examples of weird and wonderful achievements from our area...

Most naked people on a theme park ride

The record was set on the Green Scream rollercoaster at Adventure Island, Southend, on August 8, 2010, when 102 brave thrillseekers stripped off.

The ride has 40 seats, so the rollercoaster went three times to accommodate all the naked visitors.

They helped raised £22,000 for Bosom Pals, an appeal in aid of the breast cancer unit at Southend Hospital.

People travelled from all over the UK to take part in the world record attempt.

Largest Superman dance

Echo:

Pupils at Hamstel Junior School, Infant School and Nursery, in Southend, became world record holders last July with their mammoth dancing effort.

In total, 1,042 children and staff took part in a special Superman dance, beating the previous record of 897 people.

Everyone involved was in Eighties fancy dress.

Headteacher, Lisa Clarke, said: “It was an idea of how we could end our centenary year on a high.

“It brought the whole school community together. The school has a very high profile in the area and it was a great achievement."

Most people watching TV underwater

Echo:

114 people splashed their way to a new world record by watching a football match underwater.

The group of divers and sports fans combined to watch England’s World Cup qualifier versus Ukraine at the Underwater Studios, in Archer’s Field, Basildon, in April 2009.

The divers had to stay in the water for at least 30 minutes to set the record.

And they reached that mark just seconds after Peter Crouch gave England the lead in the 29th minute.

The studio put a scaffold with seating into a tank, with the capacity to hold up to 150,000 gallons of water, to allow divers to watch the game.

Special televisions were used and sound was piped into the pool, so the underwater fans could relax and enjoy England’s 2-1 victory.

Aged from ten to 62, the supporters wore England shirts over their wet suits and cheered on the team by waving hands and flags.

Largest gathering of people dressed as princesses

Echo:

Hundreds of princesses descended on Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park for a world record attempt in aid of the Little Princess Trust.

Tots, teenagers, mums – and even dads – smashed the previous record of 250 princesses, as 351 people turned up in costume in May 2014.

Mum Lisa Houillon, 36, of Felmores, was begged by daughters Jasmina, nine, and Angel, five, to take part. She said: “My little madam invited two of her friends to come along too. It’s for a great cause.” The Little Princess Trust provides real-hair wigs to boys and girls who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Echo:

Towie’s Chloe Sims, who was dressed as Cinderella, was among the princesses. She said: “All girls love to dress up like a princess.

“I always used to love Cinderella, although one little girl told me today she doesn’t have brown hair, which I had to explain away.”

Most handcuffs unlocked in one minute

Echo:

Escapologist Stuart Burrell managed to unlock nine handcuffs, beating his own previous record of eight, during a show at the Red Brick Barn, Rochford, on July 11 last year.

On the same night, he also broke the record for the fastest escape from a pair of locked prisoner transport irons, with a time of one minute and four seconds.