A MARTIAL arts school is hoping to make the Guinness Book of Records after holding a class lasting 29 hours.

The Julian Hitch Martial Art Schools of Excellence, which meets in Letchworth Drive, Bromley, claims to have broken the record for the longest ever marathon martial art and exercise class.

Its 33 participants, each pledged to raise a minimum of £250 in sponsorship, and together achieved a total of £10,000 - twice its original fundraising target - to be donated to St Michael’s Hospice, based in Hastings.

They trained from 10am on April 24 until 3pm the following day and were allowed just five minutes break per hour, including to eat and go the toilet.

Only three did not quite complete the full 29 hours, despite lasting 24 hours.

The majority of students had previously never done more than three hours training in one stretch.

Si-Fu Julian Hitch, who runs the school, says the current world record is 26 hours.

Mr Hitch said: “These people were, in the main, not professional athletes, but determined people who had wanted to make a positive difference to the world around them.

“Achieving world records is special, but helping fellow human beings in need is far more important.

“A martial artist is only ever a martial artist if he can be known for his leadership and sense of humanity.

“The event also showed the importance of support: the people who attended started as students but ended up as brothers and sisters.”

Mark Watts, a partner of Bristows law firm in London, was one of the students who took part.

The 43-year-old said: "Everyone was enthusiastic to begin with, but by the time it had got dark on the Saturday that's when it started to get tough.

"Standing up for 24 hours and added on that an intensive martial arts class was incredibly difficult.

"When we broke the record it was amazing, there was a really strong feeling of achievement, elation and personal satisfaction."

For more information about the school, which also runs classes in Dulwich and Victoria, call 08456 121 303 or 07875 856 126.

Anyone wanting to make a donation should visit justgiving.com/JulianHitchMASE