A LANDLORD who agreed to host the World Black Pudding Throwing Championship was shocked to find himself runner-up in the contest.

Stuart Law, 51, took over the Royal Oak pub, in Bridge Street, Rawtenstall five months ago and had his busiest day so far yesterday.

More than 1,000 people packed the pub and garden, and more than a quarter of those are thought to have taken part in the famous pudding-lobbing contest.

A 20-foot-high scaffold was built and a stack of 18 Yorkshire puddings created and contestants had to stand on a 'golden grid'.

The winner is the person who can knock down the most Yorkshire puddings with three underarm throws of their black pudding, which is wrapped in old tights. Contestants paid £1 each to enter and all of the proceeds from the day will go to the Stubbins Community Trust, which gives money to local charities.

At the end of the contest, which lasted more than four hours, the winner was local man Nick Connor, with Mr Law in second.

In a separate junior contest, Tom Booth and Emma Mullineux were joint winners, followed by Reece Desforges.

Mr Law said: "I was absolutely amazed to be placed in the competition, given that it's the first time I've ever thrown a black pudding.

"The event went really well and I've been touched by all that people have done to help out.

"This is the first time the world championship has been held in Ramsbottom and probably the first time there's ever been a world championship for anything here.

"Local people have really taken it to their hearts and got involved and when we count all the money I think it's going to be a large amount."

All of the puddings used for the world championship contest were supplied by Chadwick's of Bury.