Atherstone Shrove Tuesday ball game marks 823rd event

The games dates back more than 800 years

Hundreds of people grappled in the street for possession of a heavy leather ball as part of a centuries-old Shrove Tuesday tradition.

The Atherstone Ball Game crowned its 823rd winner following the organised melee in Long Street.

Nearby businesses boarded up their windows in preparation for the two-hour scrum in the Warwickshire town.

Police in the county said no arrests had been made in response to reports of violence during the event.

The ball gets thrown down Long Street in Atherstone from 15:00 GMT

The medieval game honours a match played between Leicestershire and Warwickshire in 1199 when teams used a bag of gold as a ball, which was won by Warwickshire.

The tradition continued and this year, the ball, which was signed by the residents of Atherstone, pays homage to King Charles.

It came to an end at 17:00 GMT when Lewis Cooper was declared the winner because he was in possession of the ball when the final whistle sounded.

The ball, which has been signed by the residents of Atherstone, celebrates King Charles III

When the whistle blows at 17:00 GMT the winner is crowned

Hundreds of people took part in the game

Jamie Newbold, manager of Black Horse Pub on Long Street, told BBC CWR: "Imagine the [World Wrestling Entertainment's] Royal Rumble with a massive ball in the middle of it.

"It's pure fighting, there are no rules... but it's done in a very organised way."

In response to reports of violence at the event, Warwickshire Police said: "We are aware the annual Atherstone Ball Game event took place in the town yesterday. No arrests have been made in connection with the event at this time."

In a Facebook post, Atherstone & Coleshill Police added the day was a success and praised the community for coming together.

The tradition dates back to medieval Warwickshire