Champion eyes 18th world watercress eating title

A 17-time world watercress eating champion is preparing to defend his title at an annual event celebrating the leafy green vegetable.

The Alresford Watercress Festival in Hampshire marks the start of watercress season in the UK and a highlight of the event is The World Watercress Eating Championships.

"When they say go, you just open a bag and stuff it down, and it's the quickest time that wins, as simple as that really," said Glenn Walsh, from Bishop's Sutton, who is hoping for his 18th title.

Asked if he likes the peppery salad leaves, the champion, nicknamed the "Popeye of Watercress eating", said: "I don't mind a bit of it mixed in with something."

He said around 25 to 30 people take part in the contest to munch 80g of the vegetable in the fastest time.

The festival is a not-for-profit event, hosting entertainment, crafts, food and cookery demos, with any money made being donated to charities, with children's cancer charity Abby's Heroes the main beneficiary.

Walsh said it started as a small festival but has grown into a massive event, attended by thousands of people last year.

He said it means he has competed with people from around the world over the past 22 years.

"I had Chinese radio one time there, I don't think they quite got my sense of humour but there we go," he said.

Speaking to Radio Solent, Walsh said he gets a cup for winning but he really does it for "the honour, I suppose".

Alresford became the centre of the watercress industry in 1865, when the rail line to the Georgian town opened, enabling farmers to get their leaves to market in Covent Garden.

It has since been named the UK's capital of watercress farming.

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