THE annual World Black Pudding Throwing Championship, which came under threat when its Ramsbottom venue closed, has been saved.

A new home has been found for the competition, which has been held in Lancashire for 150 years and attracts contestants from as far away as Australia.

It was hosted by the Corner Pin pub, in Bolton Road North, but when that closed Bury Metro Council's Economic Development Unit appealed for a new venue.

The Royal Oak pub, in Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, has now stepped forward to save the day and will be holding the championship on September 28.

Councillor Tim Chamberlain, of Bury Metro Council, said: "I am delighted the council has been able to save the tournament.

"This is a uniquely Lancastrian event, a unique feature of the area's events calendar, a boost for tourism and great showcase for one of Bury's most famous products."

The aim of the annual tournament is for each competitor to try and knock some Yorkshire puddings off a wooden platform 20ft up the pub wall with three throws of a black pudding.

It is believed the contest is a revival of the Lancashire-Yorkshire rivalry. One legend goes that the event is based on an incident during the Wars of the Roses, when both armies ran out of ammunition and threw food at each other.