HUNDREDS of competitors flocked to Ramsbottom yesterday to hurl a local delicacy.


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Held every year outside The Royal Oak, in Bridge Street, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships, run by the Stubbins Community Trust, attracts chuckers of all ages.

Vying for a £100 top prize and the honour of being a bona fide world champion, contestants get three black puddings with which to dislodge as many Yorkshire puddings from a 20ft ledge.

Organiser Tony Sinacola, of Chadwicks Original Bury Black Puddings, said: “It really is great fun.

"We have taken the historical account and run with it, really.

“Some people say it’s a strange world championships but it depends where you come from.

"We’re from Lancashire and we have all sorts of weird and wonderful championships.”

Winner Terry Ryan, from Gorton, managed to knock six Yorkshire Puddings off the 10ft ledge.

He said: “I came down last year and finished joint fifth so I was determined to do better this year.

"I got six with my first try and then spent about another 10 attempts not knocking a single one off.

“I’m delighted to be a world champion.”

Max Bailey, aged 12, from Bury, was crowned junior champion after dislodging four puddings from the ledge.

Visitors were also treated to a music festival in the car park.

Click below to see our picture gallery from the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships, Ramsbottom.