ONE of the most important events in the world's sporting calendar has been saved and is coming home to Bury!

Yes, a new venue has been found just in time for the annual World Black Pudding Throwing Championship.

This year's tournament was threatened after the closure of The Corner Pin pub in Stubbins, which is just over the border in Rossendale, which had been the host for the contest for many years.

Bury is world renowned for its black pudding and now the championship is being brought back home with a new venue in Ramsbottom, the Royal Oak pub in Bridge Street. It will take place on Sunday, September 28, during a weekend black pudding festival.

The championship dates back to 1850s and is a revival of the old Lancashire versus Yorkshire rivalry, with Lancashire black puddings being hurled at their counterparts from the White Rose, and white pudding, County of Yorkshire.

Legend has it that the event is based on an incident during the War of the Roses, when both armies ran out of ammunition and lobbed food at each other. Another is that it was started by mill workers from the rival counties.

For more information or those wishing to sponsor the event, ring Adrian Frost on 253 5897.