SCHOOLCHILDREN were attempting to create an earthquake today -- from the safety of their playgrounds.

They were among thousands of children from throughout the country who were taking part in a synchronised giant jump in a bid to enter the Guinness Book of World Records and create a mini-earthquake.

Bolton youngsters joined in the fun with pupils from Farnworth primary schools Mount St Joseph's, Highfield and Plodder Lane all taking part in the jump at 11am.

Pupils at Highfield Primary in Marsh Lane were excited about the experiment and even made their own equipment in an attempt to measure any movement of the earth's surface.

Youngsters from the reception class put rice and water on their desks to see if the jump caused a ripple effect. Science co-ordinator Melanie Tipping said: "We'll have more than 300 pupils taking part so it should be quite exciting.

"It will be a busy day with lots to do and there will be a safety issue to consider, so we have got a first aider on standby.

"The children are going to do warm up exercises before and then cool down exercises afterwards and I'm going to blow a whistle at 11am.

"Nothing like this has been done before, so it will be interesting to see what happens."

Seismologists might find the earth in Bolton has moved as tremors were reported in 1995 when 20,000 rock fans jumped up and down at a concert in London.

Pupils from St Stephen's Primary in Bury will also be taking part in the jump.