COMPETITORS proved they could grasp the nettle at one of west Dorset’s stranger competitions.

The traditional World Nettle Eating Championship was held last weekend at the Bottle Inn, Marshwood, with two former champions going head-to-head.

A large crowd gathered outside the pub for the competition and after a gruelling hour of nettle eating, it was Philip Thorne who was crowned the winner.

He got through 86 feet of nettles, seeing him regain the title he first won in 2014 from last year’s winner, Pete Wellman from Axminster.

Pete still holds the world record for nettle eating, after getting through 96 feet last year as he won the title for the third time.

Both of the men were hoping to reach the 100 feet mark but felt that the nettles, picked by local farmer Dave Hutchings, were much thicker than last year, The event was sponsored by Black Cow Vodka, which provided the trophies also offered competitors a strong drink at the halfway stage of the concert.

Winner Phillip said that the vodka definitely clinched it for him.

The women’s winner was Naomi Harris from Chard, who also won last year.

She managed to eat 56 feet of nettles, the same as her total last year, which is a world record.

The event was compared by Simon Slee, a former champion and he was delighted to welcome a number of new entrants to the contest. AS ever there were several new entrants including Neville Hawcock, the deputy arts editor of the Financial Times, who had travelled from London to take part and managed to eat 54 feet of nettles.

The event is organised by the Bottle Inn’s landlords Nigel and Chrissy Blake.

Nigel said he was delighted with the turnout and the weekend had proved a major success.

He said: “It has been a brilliant weekend and everyone seems of have enjoyed themselves.”

The event is held at the same time as a three-day ale and cider festival at the pub.

There was also street food and live music to be enjoyed throughout the weekend with people able to enjoy 30 different real ales and 20 different ciders.