There were ripped blood-stained shirts, open wounds and a boy walking around with a knife through his head – but school teachers could not have been happier.

They watched in amazement as 1,200 students, fellow staff and parents squeezed into the Minster campus of Sheppey’s Oasis Academy to set a record for dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Among them were pupils from the Island’s primary schools who had also learned the zombie routine.

VIDEO: A new record was set as pupils and staff did Thriller dance

Just four extra last-minute entrants helped dance teacher Chantelle Crofskey beat last year’s number of 396 and take the total to 400 on Thursday night.

Chantelle said: “We’d been working with the community, including local primary schools, for two months to build awareness of our second annual Thrill The Island event.

“Our sixth-form team visited the primary schools to ensure everyone knew the right steps.”

The monster danceathon raised money for the Dance Aid charity.

Chantelle said: “We are still adding up the amount but we raised at least £400 from the £1 admissions.”

Principal John Cavadino said: “I was absolutely delighted with the turn-out. We had 1,200 people from primary schools, local community centres, parents, teachers and students through the door. This is exactly the kind of event we are about at the Academy.”

Pupils even came from Bobbing to put their best feet forward to recreate the King of Pop’s ghoulish video on an Astroturf pitch. The sound was provided by Sheppey FM.

Mr Cavadino added: “I’d like thank Chantelle and her team for all the work they did organising the event.”

Among those taking part were 12-year-old twins Rhianna and Rayleigh Lonergan from Halfway who underwent a two-hour make-up ordeal at the hands of Gemma Macken.

Their friend Jessica Clements joined classmates Paige Devere and Abigail Fisher to sell home-made cup-cakes for the charity.

Tamuka Cross, 11, turned heads as the Bride of Frankenstein.

Meanwhile, 13-year-old ghoul-friends Nicole Harden and Page Bowey from Sheerness gave Swale’s mayor Cllr Lesley Ingham a scare with their spooky make-up.

But it was down to Ella Parsons, 15, to win first prize for scariest costume with a terrifying alien zombie mask.