French lovers were hoping to wrest the kissing record from Hungary

While thousands of Parisians gathered for a smooch on the streets, wacky record attempts took place everywhere.

Australian weather presenter Grant Denyer pulled on 18 pairs of underpants in 60 seconds.

While New Zealander Keith Kolver broke the speed record for "zorbing" - rolling downhill in a giant balloon.

He reached 52km/h (32.3 mph).

Winners will have their achievements recognised by Guinness World records.

In South Africa aspirants were hoping to break Cyprus' world record for a chain of 114,782 bras strung together.

Organisers were hoping to collect 150,000.

Jackie Bibby: new holder of Most Live Rattlesnakes Held In Mouth

In New York, Jackie Bibby crammed 10 live western diamondback rattlesnakes in his mouth.

While in Italy they were cooking the world's longest line of pizzas, in Canada scores of Michael Jackson fans were re-enacting Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video.

Guinness World Records editor Craig Glenday said the latter was his favourite challenge of the day.

"It's been done by professional dancers and we have 150 people dressed as zombies. Someone has transcribed the moves from the video," he said.

"I love the idea of a stranger walking into town and seeing all these shuffling zombies," he told Reuters.

"Hundreds of records could be beaten today," he added.