THE ever-popular World Black Pudding Throwing Championship is back in Ramsbottom this weekend.

After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, people are invited back to try their hand in the unique competition in a bid to be crowned champion.

Organiser Jim Cunliffe said: "It is the just the tonic Ramsbottom needs after the last 18 months.

"We have started putting the flags up and bunting will go up.

"The East Lancashire Railway will be supporting us and we will be having stalls."

In the Sunday event, which attracts global attention, competitors will hurl the local delicacy onto a 20ft-high plinth in a bid to dislodge a dozen Yorkshire puddings.

Participants have three attempts to knock down as many as possible with their underarm throws. The person with the most success will be crowned the 2021 champion.

Jim said that measures would be put in place in the wake of Covid, with hand sanitisers placed around to limit the risk of the virus.

He said: "The event is all about bringing people to Ramsbottom, people do come from all over and supporting charities.

"They have really struggled during the pandemic."

The East Lancashire Railway will have attractions on and there will be a birds of prey display, Ukele players will also be in Ramsbottom,

This year sponsors include Orbital Printers Charles Louis, Tesco and Direct Flooring Ramsbottom.

The competition dates back to the 1980s and sees the ancient Yorkshire-Lancashire rivalry played out. The custom is believed to derive from the War of the Roses when the two sides allegedly resorted to throwing food at each other when their ammunition ran out. Black pudding was thrown by the Lancashire troops, while Yorkshire puddings were thrown by their counterparts.

A decision was made to bring back the tradition by Stubbins Community Trust in 1984 and it has been a popular event ever since.

The competition runs from 11am until 4pm in Bridge Street.