FOOD fans will be tackling a fiery challenge at the second annual charity World Garlic Eating Competition taking place this Saturday, September 13.

The event will be held at The George Inn in Chideock, Bridport from 3pm on the day and all the money raised from the competition will go towards local charities.

Last year there were 25 contestants, mostly locals but contestants also came from further afield such as Poole, Bristol and Twickenham.

Oliver Farmer, from Charmouth, was the overall winner last year, chomping 49 cloves in just five minutes, with Ali Harvey, from Seatown, who managed 46, a close second.

Pauline Bridsall, who travelled from Windsor especially for the event, was crowned best female eater after managing 33 cloves.

The competition on Saturday differs slightly from last year, with organisers hoping to also break a Guinness World Record for the most cloves of garlic eaten in just one minute.

Joint organiser Steve Smith, who is also landlord at The George Inn, said the current record stands at 36 cloves.

He added: “This year instead of five minutes, everyone who takes part will be trying to see how many cloves of garlic they can eat in one minute.

“We also have local produce on sale from the South West Garlic Farm based in North Chideock, which has supplied all the garlic for the competition.

“I would encourage anyone who hasn’t heard of the garlic eating competition before or wants to come along and give it a go to please do so.

“The event is for a worthy cause and proved incredibly popular last year; hopefully this year will be even more popular with the challenge of breaking a Guinness World Record.”

This year’s garlic eating winner will also receive a trophy and £100 in cash.

For more information visit worldgarliceatingcompetition.co.uk or call Steve Smith at The George Inn on 01297 489419.