Beaumont School learns today (Thursday), on World Book Day, whether pupils’ attempt to break a record has been successful.

American musician Frank Zappa’s quote “So many books, so little time” was probably applicable at a local school recently.

Nearly 100 students at Beaumont School, Oakwood Drive in St Albans, showed their author-itive grasp of books while taking part in a Guinness World Record attempt on the first Monday back after half term.

They joined a nationwide attempt to break the record for the most people participating in simultaneous book quizzes.

The chance to become an official record breaker involved 2,680 people taking part in a quiz between 2-3pm on February 22.

Organised by World Book Day to encourage a love of reading, well-known authors such as Malorie Blackman (Noughts & Crosses), Cressida Cowell (How to Train Your Dragon) and Francesca Simon (Horrid Henry series) featured in video clips asking questions.

At Beaumont, 94 Year 7 pupils enthusiastically discussed questions shown on the library’s big TV screen, which tested their knowledge of contemporary and classic kids’ books.

A school spokesman said that everyone was “keeping their fingers crossed for those involved” as an announcement on whether the official record attempt was successful would be announced today (Thursday).