THE UK’s first chilli-eating competition has been hailed a huge success.

The competition took place last week at Nico’s Restaurant, in Barrow, and was won by 32-year-old Kelly Barlow, who ate around 75 chillis.

Restaurateur Nico Riccioppo was inspired to hold the competition by the annual world championship event that takes place near his home region, in southern Italy, every September.

Nico said: “It was a superb night, really good. The winner ate around 100 grams of chillis, which is a brilliant effort.

“It is something that I definitely plan to do again.”

Kelly, who runs her own catering firm Kelly’s Kitchen, based at Great Harwood Golf Club, said her love of food inspired her to enter.

“I knew I would win the competition,” she said. “But nobody would believe me.

"I’m hoping to go to Italy now and enter the bigger competitions.”