RAMSBOTTOM "pud" on a spectacle to savour when it hosted the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships.

Organised by The Royal Oak Pub in Bridge Street, a record 500 contestants attempted to knock down the highest number of giant Yorkshire puddings stacked on scaffolding -- armed with only a black pudding.

The much-coveted title went to management trainer John Burns from Edenfield. He managed to knock down seven puddings with one throw.

"I am proud of my achievement. And I won't let it change me," laughed the 33-year-old of Burnley Road.

"I only entered because I had a friend from Wycombe up and I decided to show a little Lancashire life!"

John donated his £100 winnings to the Stubbins Community Trust, which benefited from the proceeds raised by the contest.

Some contestants came from as far afield as Austria, Australia and South Africa. The tradition dates back to the 1850s and is the second time it has been organised by the Ramsbottom pub. The contest is said to be a revival of the Lancashire-Yorkshire rivalry.

One tale tells that, during the War of the Roses, both armies ran out of ammunition and started throwing food at each other.

Another claims the tradition was started by mill workers from the rival counties.

But Sunday's event was nothing more than friendly competition. And not even the rain could stop hundreds from turning out.

Local bands played and there were displays by the Crusaders motorbike club and American Army Jeeps.

Organiser Lee Gosling said: "We had a brilliant day. There was a really nice family atmosphere and lots of children took part."