World Gravy Wrestling Championships entries open

Competitors wrestle in a pool full of gravy in two-minute bouts

The date for this year's World Gravy Wrestling Championships has been announced and organisers have started the search for competitors.

The 17th annual event is being held at the Rose 'N' Bowl Pub in Stacksteads, Rossendale, Lancashire, on 25 August.

Wrestlers wear fancy dress to grapple in a pool full of gravy in two-minute bouts, with judges awarding points on entertainment value, as well as the wrestling.

The championships raise money for East Lancashire Hospice.

Eighteen-year-old George Young won last year's men's title.,

H put his victory down to his strategy of "not wearing myself out quickly" and being spurred on by his friends and family "chanting my name".

Meanwhile, Christine Rogers, 43, wrestled her way to victory in the women's event on her sixth attempt.

She said it felt "amazing to actually win after years of trying".