Longest eyelashes and tallest cat among latest record breakers

Weird and the wonderful to the fore as latest record holders are revealed in book released today

Size clearly matters for the latest round of Guinness World Record holders, with a woman with the longest eyelashes and a cat with the longest tail claiming two of the top spots.

Observers could be forgiven for mistaking You Jianxia’s eyelashes for whiskers, with her longest running to a cheek-tickling 12.4cm (4.88in).

Ms You, from Jiangsu, China, first noticed the lashes on her left eyelid growing during an 18-month nature retreat in 2013.

She puts the length down to her life at one with nature.

Her growing powers are rivalled by nail artist Ayanna Williams, whose talons stretch to a total of 576.4cm (18ft 10.9in).

To take care of the nails, the 60-yearold, from Houston, Texas, uses a nail brush and anti-bacterial soap daily, and regularly applies nail hardener and a layer of acrylic which can take up to a week to paint.

She says she can perform most everyday tasks with little difficulty, except for pulling up her trousers, and she also steers clear of the washing up.

In the animal kingdom, Cygnus the cat has the lion’s share when it comes to his magnificent tail.

From Ferndale, Michigan, the Silver Maine Coon’s furry appendage stretches to 44.66cm (17.58in), catapulting him into the record books. Part of a record-breaking family, his brother, Arcturus Aldebaran, is the world’s tallest living domestic cat, measuring 48.4cm (19.05in). John and Geof Bitmead, from Ambrosden, Oxfordshire, are the proud owners of the world’s largest “cosy coupe” children’s car, dubbed the Toytown Coupe. The Bitmeads, of Attitude Autos, developed the roadworthy 2.7-metre (8ft 10.2in) vehicle after chatting with an associate about a smaller version he built for his son.

Other unusual achievements include eating the most Marmite in a minute, removing the most Jenga blocks by whip in 30 seconds, and the largest ball of stickers.

They can all be browsed in the 2018 Guinness World Records book, released today.

From left: oldest bodybuilder Jim Arrington, 85, You Jianxia with her longest eyelashes and Ayanna Williams who has the record for the longest fingernails.

Pictures: PA. Clockwise from top left: Freddy, the tallest dog, with his owner Clare Stoneman, Arcturus the tallest cat with owners William and Lauren Powers and the world’s largest tape ball. Left: Benny Harlem who has the tallest high top fade

Pictures: PA.