THE World Black Pudding Throwing Championships take place this weekend at The Royal Oak pub in Ramsbottom.

The event, which has a distinct War of the Roses flavour, is being staged by landlord Stuart Law for the second year running.

Competitors have to throw the traditional Lancashire delicacy to knock down stacks of giant Yorkshire puddings - and a £100 prize is at stake.

The championships take place from noon this Sunday.

Bridge Street, in the centre of Ramsbottom, will be closed off for the event.

Mr Law said: "We have people coming from all over.

"A lot of them build the event into their holiday. We are likely to have an Australian and a Dutchman among the competitiors."

Last year's runner-up 33-year-old Nick Connor, of Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, said: "I came second last year, but this year I have got to try and get that £100 prize!"

Three black puddings can be thrown for a £1 and all proceeds will go to a local charity, the Stubbins Community Trust.

Local bands will be playing and there will be displays by the Crusaders motorbike club and by American Army Jeeps.

The event has been a tradition in nearby Stubbins since the 1850s. But organisers had to find a new venue for the competition when its old home, the Corner Pin pub, closed last May.

It is believed that the contest does in fact have its origins in clashes between Yorkshire and Lancashire clans.

One legend suggests that, during the War of the Roses, both sides ran out of ammunition and lobbed Yorkshire and black puddings at each other instead.

Another claims that the tradition was started by mill workers from the rival counties.