Cheese rolling race: Hundreds compete in Coopers Hill event

Hundreds of people have taken part in the annual cheese rolling extreme sporting event.

Competitors chased a 7lb (3kg) Double Gloucester cheese wheel down the almost-vertical Coopers Hill in Brockworth, near Gloucester.

The world-famous event went ahead despite safety fears.

Matt Crolla, 28, from Manchester, won the first race. The women's race was won by Delaney Irving who was knocked unconscious as she chased the cheese.

Thousands watch as competitors chase a Double Gloucester cheese down the near-vertical Coopers Hill

"I'm glad I'm pretty conscious and I've not got many serious injuries," said Mr Crolla.

Asked how he prepared for the race he said: "I don't think you can train for it, can you? It's just being an idiot."

Matt Crolla claimed his cheese in the first race

Women's champion Ms Irving, 19, from Vancouver Island in Canada, said the race was "good... now that I remember it".

"I remember running, then bumping my head, and then I woke up in the tent," she said.

"I still don't really believe it, but it feels great."

Delaney Irving, from Canada, claimed the cheese in her race

Kyla Hill, of Team Cheese, the group of volunteers who help organise the event, said she was "passionate" about cheese rolling.

"It puts us [Brockworth village] on the map, makes us a bit famous, draws people in from over the world," she said.

"I was talking to a couple last night who'd come over from Washington especially."

Former winner Chris Anderson met Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper

Another international winner was Ryoya Minami from Japan. Asked why he entered the race, he replied "because I love cheese".

Ms Hill added others had come from Texas and Switzerland for the event.

Ryoya Minami also claimed a cheese in the races

Cooper Cummings (right) from Washington competed and met former champion Chris Anderson

Swiss pair Midori Gasseling and Kim Scherer tried their luck but did not win.

"It's way tougher than it looks," Midori said.

South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust confirmed one person from the event was taken to hospital with injuries.

They added: "We were called at 12:07 on 25 May to an incident in the Gloucester area.

"We sent a double-crew land ambulance and an operational officer. One individual was taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital."