Monday May 30, 06:20 PM
Dozens of daredevils risked life and limb as they chased a giant cheese down a steep slope as part of a bizarre traditional contest.
The cheese rolling competition held every year on Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, involves competitors hurling themselves 200 metres down a 1 in 2 hill in pursuit of the cheese.
The winner of the chase gets to keep the prize of a seven to eight pound Double Gloucester cheese.
More than 4,000 spectators flocked to the odd event which has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.
Organisers praised the event as one of the safest ever with St John Ambulance reporting three people taken to hospital with suspected fractured limbs.
Teenager Chris Anderson, a window fitter from Brockworth, suffered a sprained ankle as he claimed first prize in one of the four races.
Chris, 17, was taken to hospital with his prize cheese clasped to his chest.
Kiwi Dione Carter, 25, won the woman's event for the second year running. She tumbled headfirst over the finishing line to claim her prize.
Jason Crowther, 23, from Pembrokeshire and Aaron Walden, 18, from Gloucester won the other two races.
Organiser Richard Jefferies said: "It was a very good day and went very smoothly. There were a lot less casualties than normal. It is a good part of the local heritage and a tradition we would like to keep going."
Press Association