World Marble Championships take place

The Marble World Championships have been held at The Greyhound pub since 1932

The World Marble Championship is taking place in Tinsley Green in West Sussex on Friday.

The championship, which has been held at the Greyhound pub since 1932, has been staged annually since 1588, except for when Covid-19 forced the postponement of the competition.

Organiser of the championship, Julia McCarthy-Fox, told BBC Breakfast that she has travelled over from New Zealand for the tournament, which she has been helping to run for 35 years.

She said: "I like it, as a tournament we have built it up to what it is today and it is an old tradition we want to keep going."

Sand is placed on the rinks ahead of the match

The village of Tinsley Green, less than five miles from Gatwick Airport, is known worldwide as being the home of British marbles.

It attracts visitors from all over the world, with some wishing to take part and some just there to watch the games.

The competition will be made up of 15 or 16 teams, with six players per team - although some people just turn up on the day, Ms McCarthy-Fox said.

Other competitors come from Germany, France and the USA.

Chris Pampel, one player who is from Germany, said sometimes "you only need a little bit of luck" in the match.

Alison Reimer (with her son Louie - left) and Chris Pampel (middle and right) have won multiple world titles in the women's and men's categories respectively

Alison Reimer, the ladies world marble champion, could win her 13th title in the competition, which would make her the most successful ever competitor.

She said: "My great-grandfather used to play and my father and brother also won titles.

"I've got my son (Louie) involved now too, so it is quite the family tradition."

Some first-time competitors, who have travelled from Germany to participate in the world championships, said: "We came for some fun and to see how good we are."