THE eyes of the sporting world will be fixed on Ramsbottom as the town prepares to hold its own world championships -- in black pudding throwing.

The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships - to be held at the Royal Oak pub on Sunday, starting at noon - has once again attracted interest from across the globe.

Stuart Law, the licensee of the Bridge Street pub, said: "We have people coming from all over.

"A lot of them build the event into their holiday. Last year we had an Australian and a Dutchman and that's likely to be the case again this year."

The tradition has been held in Lancashire for the past 150 years, and this will be the second time it has been held at The Royal Oak.

It is believed the contest is a revival of the Lancashire-Yorkshire rivalry.

One legend says that the event is based on an incident during the War of the Roses, when both armies ran out of ammunition and threw food at each other.

The event had been a tradition in nearby Stubbins since the 1850s. But organisers had to find a new venue for the competition when its old home, the Corner Pin pub, closed in May 2003. Royal Oak landlord Stuart Law stepped to resurrect the event.

He said the contest gets "bigger and bigger all the time" after a record 500 people took part in last year's contest.

First prize went to John Burns of Edenfield who dislodged seven puddings with three throws.

He said: "There are so many local companies as well that give their backing and support, for which we are very grateful. The event has grown so much over the years - it's set to be better than ever."

Competitors will aim to knock down as many stacked Yorkshire puddings as they can from standing on the 'Golden Grid'. The winner will receive £100.

As well as the contest, local bands including Big Lix, Das Ringmeisters and Meat Pie will be performing on the day and the farmers' market will be held in Market Place. There will also be a bouncy castle, children's rides and black pudding stalls.

The competition is open to anyone -- with three black puddings for a £1. All money raised will go to the Stubbins Community Trust.