THEY might not be Australian, but this group of travel workers put Rolf Harris in the shade when they smashed a world record for wobble boarding.

To the tune of "Tie me kangaroo down sport", a team of 359 Airmiles staff shook their hand-painted, multicoloured boards for five-and-a-half minutes at the Last Drop Hotel, Bromley Cross, yesterday afternoon.

The previous record was set in 2002 by a group of 230 residents from Rolf Harris's home town of Bassendean, Western Australia.

But the Airmiles team, including many from Bolton who work at the firm's Warrington office, were delighted to have smashed the record.

They took on the challenge at the firm's annual business event, where they launched a new partnership with the Willow Foundation.

Ex-footballer and TV presenter Bob Wilson set up the foundation, which creates special days for seriously-ill young adults, in memory of his daughter, Anna, who died from cancer when she was 31.

After cheering on the Airmiles staff, the former Scotland and Arsenal goalkeeper said: "What a fantastic sound all those wobble boards make.

"It's actually pretty difficult to keep wobbling the boards - more strenuous than you would think."

Michael Axford, aged 39, a training manager from Westhoughton, said: "It was quite a challenge but it was well worth it.

"It was a great experience, even though it did rain a bit - much better than a day in the office."

Amanda Bromilow, aged 35, a sales executive from Harwood, said: "My arms are aching after all that shaking but it was good fun.

"It was a really positive thing to be doing for the Willow Foundation and it was great to break a world record at the same time."

The group's efforts are now to be recorded in the official Guinness World Records book.