Cyprus busts bra chain record in breast cancer drive (AFP)

NICOSIA (AFP) - The world's largest bra chain was completed by women in Cyprus in a bid to raise breast cancer awareness and encourage more people to have regular check-ups.

"We've done it... we have broken the record for sure, the chain stretched 111 kilometres (69 miles) consisting of a 114,782 bras," Dutch organiser Louise van Rooij told AFP Sunday.

Once the last bra was attached, a symbolic 111 pink balloons were sent into the air to mark the triumph.

"It feels unbelievable, it's a very emotional time and I'm very proud of everyone. We have the record and how."

British, Cypriot and Dutch women organised the world record attempt which was launched at Paphos harbour, a resort town on the southwest coast of the Mediterranean island.

The huge chain formed a circle around the picturesque harbour.

Singapore previously held the record distance of 60 kilometres (35 miles) with 79,001 bras.

The organisers received thousands of bras from Germany and Britain.

"Because the sizes of bras from the European women are a little bit bigger than the Singapore and Chinese community, they will stretch a further distance," said Rooij.

Some 200 volunteers hope to get the bra chain in the Guinness Book of World Records but the real hope is that the message about cancer awareness will have done the trick.

"There is a taboo in Cyprus in talking about breast cancer and we would rather women went for regular checks than go to prayers," said Rooij.

"I spoke to one oncologist and he told me there was a 30 percent increase in people inquiring for check-ups, so it seems to be working," she added.

The organisers were spurred into action when they discovered that the rate of new breast cancer cases each year was more than 300, a high number for a population of under a million people.

A database of over 4,000 names was also established as a reminder service for women to receive regular breast cancer checks.

A sum of 30,000 Cypriot pounds (66,000 dollars) has already been collected in the breast cancer drive and organisers said the figure was bound to increase by the end of the day.