Gran 'shell shocked' at Black Pudding Throwing world title

A grandmother has described being "shell shocked" at becoming one of the joint winners of the official Black Pudding Throwing World Championships.

June Weir, 73, from Wilpshire, Lancashire, said she was delighted to become the first female to win the annual event at The Oak pub in Ramsbottom, Bury, on Sunday.

Hundreds of people cheered on the throwers as they hurled black puddings at Yorkshire puddings in the quirky sporting event, which first began more than a century ago and raises money for charity.

Weir, who was one of four competitors who toppled six Yorkshire puddings from a ledge, said: "This was my third time, no training whatsoever... and I actually won it. I can't believe it."

Contestants battled it out to see who could knock as many Yorkshire puddings off a 20ft (6m) ledge by lobbing traditional blood sausages at them.

Weir entered the event with her 24-year-old grandson and not only beat him but also entries from around the globe to become joint winner.

She told BBC Radio Manchester: "There were some from Peru, some from Sweden, there was quite a few - and I'm the winner.

"It was just fun. And it was for a good cause."

She was presented with a rosette of black puddings and £25 for her share of the £100 winning prize.

Weir said it was "unbelievable" to have a world title, adding she would "probably" defend her title next year.

The tradition has its roots in the Lancashire-Yorkshire rivalry thought to date back to the War of the Roses, when opposing armies are said to have run out of ammunition during a battle in 1455, and then threw food at each other.

The contest has been running for more than 100 years and was revived in the 1980s.

Organisers said the competition had raised more than £2,000 for this year's designated charities, Bury Hospice and Ramsbottom Pantry.

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