ZOMBIES will descend on Horwich this summer in a bid to break a monster world record.

And an appeal is going out to recruit more members of the living dead to join in with the record attempt at Horwich Carnival on July 4.

It is hoped the title for most zombies in a march can be snatched from Manchester, which managed around 1,950 zombies at an event last year.

This will be the third year of zombie-related record attempts in Bolton, inspired by the video for Michael Jackson’s 1983 hit Thriller, after friends Alison Power and Steve Clegg joined forces to arrange dance events in 2008 and 2009.

But this year, the organisers hope to hit the target of 2,000 zombies, who will not need to learn any moves, just dress up and join the parade.

Ms Power, aged 47, of Heaton, said: “All you need to do is turn up as a zombie and take part in the parade.

“We decided to go for a march, not dance, to make it even easier for people to get involved.

“It will be good fun, all ages can take part and it will be especially good for groups.

“We want to promote Horwich Carnival and raise money for local good causes.

We missed out on a record for Bolton last year, so are determined to get one this time.”

Two years ago, more than 100 ghouls danced to Michael Jackson’s Thriller at Hayward Leisure Centre, joining people across the globe in Thrill The World — a bid to smash the record for the largest ever simultaneous dance, with 4,179 people taking part.

Last year, the town contributed to the latest global attempt, but failed to break the world record for the most people recreating the dance in one place, with 385 zombies in Bolton compared to the then record of 250, but it was blown apart by 13,000 dancers gathering in Mexico.

Zombies will be charged £1 to take part, with the proceeds being split between the Horwich Carnival charity, Bolton Mountain Rescue, and the All Star Roller Skating Project in Smithills.

The Carnival Parade is taking place on a separate date to the annual Horwich Carnival Races, which will take place on June 20.

To find out more or get involved in the record attempt, contact Alison Power on 07986 487434.