World record number of vampires gather to mark Dracula anniversary

1,369 converge on Whitby, North Yorkshire, to mark the 125th anniversary of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'

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  People dressed as vampires gather in the grounds of the gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey, after their Guinness world record attempt, on May 26. AFP

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  To set a world record for the most people dressed as vampires, 1,369 enthusiasts made their way to Whitby. AFP

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  The record attempt took place on the 125th anniversary of the first publication of Bram Stoker's novel 'Dracula'. AFP

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  They needed to stand together in the same place for five minutes to break the Guinness record, which previously stood at 1,039 people, set at a 2011 event in the US state of Virginia. PA

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  People dressed as vampires arrive in the grounds of Whitby Abbey. AFP

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  Stoker visited Whitby in 1890 and it's understood that the town and 13th century ruins of the Abbey provided inspiration for 'Dracula'. AFP

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  The 'vampires' gather at Whitby Abbey. PA

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  A 'vampire' poses for a photograph as she arrives. AFP

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  Costume requirements were strict: attendees had to wear black shoes, black trousers or dress, a waistcoat, shirt, black cape or 'collared overcoat' — and, of course, fangs. AFP

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  Previous attempts to break the record have failed over minor problems, such as the wrong shoes, reports said. AFP

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  'Vampires' pose for a selfie on the grounds of Whitby Abbey. AFP

To mark the 125th anniversary of Bram Stoker's chilling book Dracula, 1,369 people gathered in the seaside town of Whitby, northern England, to break the world record for the largest crowd of vampires.

The vampires assembled on Thursday had to stand together in the same place for five minutes to break the Guinness record. It previously stood at 1,039 people, set at a 2011 event in the eastern US state of Virginia.

Costume requirements were strict: attendees had to wear black shoes, black trousers or dress, a waistcoat, shirt, black cape or collared overcoat — and, of course, fangs.

The novel was first published in 1897, seven years after Stoker visited the picturesque North Yorkshire town and took creative inspiration from the Gothic surroundings of its 11th-century abbey.

The Irish author found the name Dracula in the local library, in a book about a 15th-century prince in present-day Romania who was said to have impaled his enemies on wooden stakes.