IT could turn out to be a record breaking weekend for a group of Hampshire firefighters who believe they have created the world’s biggest naan bread.

A crew from Eastleigh fire station swapped hoses for aprons yesterday as they provided one of the highlights of the town’s Mela festival.

After teaming up with local restaurants they produced a naan that was 4.79 metres long and weighed 26 kilos.

The new record has yet to be officially confirmed but the naan was considerably larger than the previous record of 2.89 metres.

Spectators included Drashan Mann, chairman of the Asian Welfare and Cultural Association, which stages the festival.

He said: “The whole thing took about 40 minutes.

“The atmosphere was electric. Everyone cheered and applauded when the new record was announced.”

Now in its ninth year the multi-cultural Mela is second only to the town’s Christmas lights switch-on in terms of popularity.

The firefighters produced the giant naan after joining forces with staff from the Sanjha and Badi Mirchi restaurants.

Other food at the Mela included dishes from Poland, India and the Caribbean.

Activities for children included competitions, a climbing wall and dance workshops as well as kite-making, face-painting and a puppet theatre.

Mr Mann added: “The Mela is a feel-good event.

“It celebrates and shows how we can enjoy being with each other, share music, food and savour the sunshine.”