Rubik's cube enthusiasts from all over the world came to Leicester this weekend – for a jaw dropping display of cube-solving dexterity.
About 100 speed cubers – the technical term for people who can solve the puzzle in a matter of seconds – gathered at the O2 Academy, at the University of Leicester for the Rubik's UK Open.
Entrants included world record holder Breandan Vallance, a student from Scotland, who can complete the puzzle in 8.13 seconds.
Chrissi Trussell, vice president of the Rubik's company, said the little puzzle was still a popular draw for the young and the young at heart.
"About 350 million Rubik's cubes have been sold worldwide," said Chrissi.
"The cube's heyday was in the early 80s – somewhere between 1981 and 84 – when around 250 million cubes were sold. But we still sell about eight million cubes a year. It's an enduring puzzle and still very popular."
Watch out for an in-depth feature on the event in More Magazine, free with your Mercury on Saturday.
See our website for video clips of speed cubers at work.
