Three hurt in cheese rolling race

More cheese rolling pictures

Three people have been hurt chasing a giant cheese down a steep slope in Gloucestershire.

The annual event on Cooper's Hill involves competitors hurling themselves 200 metres down the steep hill.

The winner, window fitter Chris Anderson, received his 9lb Double Gloucester as he was taken away on a stretcher with a sprained ankle.

Organisers said two other people were taken to hospital and may have suffered spinal injuries.

Chris, 17, from nearby Brockworth, said: "The pain was worth it. I went over on my ankle right at the top of the hill.

"This cheese is going straight in a cupboard when I get home. It's definitely not for eating."

New Zealander Dione Carter won the woman's event for the second year running.

"This was a lot tougher than last year. I had a few nasty tumbles."

Fewer casualties

"It just seems sheer luck if you win but despite how it looks it is great fun."

Jason Crowther, 23, from Pembrokeshire and Aaron Walden, 18, from Gloucester won the other two races.

A team from Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters (Saraid) was at Cooper's Hill in the event any casualties needed rescuing from the steep hill.

Organiser Richard Jefferies said: "It was a very good day and went very smoothly. There were a lot less casualties than normal.

"It is a good part of the local heritage and a tradition we would like to keep going."