PUDDING chuckers from far and wide gathered in Ramsbottom for the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships.

A range of throwing techniques were on display as contestants tried their best to dislodge a pile of Yorkshire puds from a 20ft high platform.

The annual competition, held at the Royal Oak pub, Bridge Street, gives each pudding thrower three goes to knock off as many Yorkshire puddings as they can.

This year the much coveted title went to lorry driver Paul Rudge, from Southport, who expertly aimed his first black pudding at the target toppling four Yorkshires to the ground in his first attempt.

He beat local firefighter Tony Burke, who was last year's winner, and he has pledged to come back to the international competition next year to defend has title.

"I feel exhilarated. It comes as a complete shock because I usually just have one go and to win it is amazing. I've been coming for the last five years because it's a good excuse to catch up with my family," said Mr Rudge, aged 42, who is originally from Ramsbottom.

"I had my go at about 1.30pm and I when I came back for the results I expected someone to have beaten me, but they didn't," said Mr Rudge.

Mr Rudge won the trophy, which is kept in the pub, a medal and £100.

The annual event which pits black puddings against Yorkshire puddings is a cheeky reference to the centuries-old rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Winning brings celebrity and the glare of the media spotlight as Sunday's event was broadcast around the globe by the BBC and Sky television.

The golden grid, on which competitors stand to throw the puddings, arrived by rail on Sunday and was escorted to the pub with much pomp and ceremony.

Yesterday's event was landlady Elaine Singleton's first time hosting the championships and she pulled out all the stops to ensure fun for all the family.

This year saw children's rides and a bouncy castle in Bridge Street, which was closed to traffic for the day, while local bands Point Blank and Inbred Quarter played in the afternoon at the pub. Last year's event raised £1,000 for Stubbins Community Trust.