World black pudding championship throwers take aim

Crowds have been throwing the blood sausages through the air as part of the contest

Black pudding throwers have taken aim at Yorkshire puddings during the world championships at a Greater Manchester pub.

Hundreds of spectators watched as entrants from as far afield as Japan, competed in the official Black Pudding Throwing World Championships at The Oak pub in the village of Ramsbottom, Bury.

Contestants battled it out to see who could knock as many Yorkshire puddings off a 20 ft ledge by lobbing traditional blood sausages at them.

The tradition has its roots in the Lancashire/Yorkshire rivalry and has been taking place for more than a century.

The event has been going on for more than 100 years

It is thought to date back to the War of the Roses, when opposing armies are said to have run out of ammunition during a battle in 1455 and then threw food at each other.

The contest has been running for more than 100 years, and was revived in the 1980s.

Current champion Harry Ogden said he hopes to retain his crown

Current champion Harry Ogden won last year's event after he knocked down six puds.

The 19-year-old, of Salford, said he hopes to retain his crown.