FOOD fans descended on West Dorset for a fiery challenge this weekend.

The first ever World Garlic Eating competition attracted entrants from far and wide as they battled to be crowned king of the cloves.

The event, held at the George Inn at Chideock, was a celebration of all things local, said landlord Steve Smith.

He said: “From the moment we launched the website, it attracted a lot of attention, and we had people coming from all over to take part, including one group who all live on the same street in Bristol.

“The garlic was provided by Mark Botwright, owner of the South West Garlic Farm. He owns the three fields behind the pub, so it could not get more local.”

Competitors were challenged to eat as many cloves of raw garlic as they could in five minutes.

Oliver Farmer, from Charmouth, was the overall winner, chomping 49 cloves, with Ali Harvey, from Seatown, who managed 46, a close second.

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

Mr Smith, who also took part and ate 20, said: “It was hideous. It is really peppery, and after three or four, my eyes and nose were streaming.”

All the money raised from the entry fees was donated to the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Mr Smith added: “It went really well overall, everyone had a lot of fun and we will definitely do it again next year.

“We might even try to make it into a Guinness World Record attempt.”