IF there was a world record for the largest number of talented people all on one stage then the Mayflower Theatre would have certainly smashed it.

Hundreds of people – 467 in fact – brought the Southampton theatre alive with a simply superb evening of music and dance.

And what’s more, they were all doing it because they love it – and they wanted to help raise tens of thousands of pounds for a vital charity helping heart patients across Hampshire.

Rapturous applause, whoops and whistles came aplenty from the audience who were on their feet by the end of the three-hour extravaganza.

But there was another special reason for the celebrations, as the news was announced that Wessex Heartbeat’s High Five Appeal had reached its £500,000 target.

As revealed yesterday, the Daily Echo-backed charity appeal will fund a state of the art centre for young people aged 16-30 being treated for heart problems at Southampton General.

And as the charity’s chief executive Alison Farrell made the announcement, confetti rained down on to a thrilled cast.

Millbrook-born comedian Mike Osman was compere for the night and had the audience in stitches between stage changes, while Southampton Olympian diver Pete Waterfield also made a guest appearance wearing little more than his trunks – to the delight of the ladies of the Spinnaker Chorus.

There were also stunning performances by the Romsey Male Voice Choir, the Mayflower Musical Youth Theatre and the youngsters of Hampshire Collegiate Prep School.

And the music was brought bang up to date by the fabulous E-Minor Pop Academy.

Parkewood School of Dance showed why they have gone on to create some of the finest ballet dancers while StudioSO, A&L Academy of Dance, the Heartbeat Tappers and local youngsters in Dance 8 all put on dazzling displays.