Children across Oxfordshire are getting a chance to enter the record books later this year - and all they have to do is jump.

To mark Science Year, schools are urged to take part in the Giant Jump, an attempt to create an earthquake by leaping up and down in the playground for one minute on September 7 at 11am.

British Geological Survey seismologists will measure the impact on the Richter scale and the Guinness Book of Records will be recording it as the "greatest simultaneous jump in history" and a world first for the UK.

Schools that have already agreed to take part include: St Augustine Upper School in Iffley Turn, St Ebbe's First School, New Hinksey First School, all in Oxford, and Fitzwaryn School in Wantage.

Science Year is run by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts and is funded by the Department for Education and Skills.

Spokesman Fraser Pettigrew said 3,500 schools had asked to take part.

He added: "It will be great fun for kids and it will get them out of the laboratories to make science seem more fun.

"Those taking part will get their names in the record books, so that is an added incentive.

"Schools will be encouraged to use their own equipment ready to register the earth tremors."

David Hawksett of the Guinness Book of Records said it was the first time such a feat had been attempted.

"This is what we call a precedent-setter. We hope this is a challenge that will be taken up around the world.

Participation is free but schools have to register at www.scienceyear.com