A GROUP of hardy competitors felt a sting on their tongues as they chomped their way through hundreds of feet of nettles.

Thirty-five brave participants took part in this year’s nettle eating championships, which took place at the Bottle Inn in Marshwood in what proved to be a record-breaking year for the competition.

Hundreds of people descended on the pub to watch the competition, and saw Pete Wellman, from Axminster, crowned as champion after he munched his way through 96-feet of nettles.

In the women’s competition, Naomi Harris, of Chard, was crowned winner after she devoured 58-feet of the stinging plant.

The two winners were given a standing ovation following the competition, and were officially crowned as winners by the event’s sponsors, west Dorset-based Black Cow Vodka.

The two totals were record-breaking amounts for the championship, but the other competitors valiantly ate hundreds of feet more.

Nigel and Chrissie Blake, who are the Bottle Inn licencees, said the event had been a great success.

Chrissie said: “It was absolutely brilliant.

“There were 35 people taking part and Pete Wellman, who won it, was taking part for his fourth year in a row and won it for the third time.

“Those were two record numbers of nettles which is great.

“It was a very successful day. There was a lot of people there and the sun came out, it was fantastic really it couldn’t have gone any better.”

As well as the nettle eating competition, Mr and Mrs Blake, who have run the Bottle Inn since 2012, also organised a real ale and cider festival over the weekend, showcasing 30 real ales and 30 nettles.

Chrissie added: “It’s the fourth year – each year it just gets better and better. Everyone had a good time. and everybody helped out with the organising of the event as well, collecting the nettles in the morning, so It was a real community effort and I'm pleased it went so well."