Cheese racers will defy weather

The event is believed to be more than 200 years old

Organisers of the annual cheese- rolling event in Gloucestershire have insisted that it will go ahead on Monday whatever the weather.

In the event participants chase a 7lb Double Gloucester cheese in four races at Cooper's Hill, near Brockworth.

BBC weatherman Ian Fergusson said: "The steep slope at Cooper's Hill, which is challenging even in good weather, will prove especially slippery and muddy."

In 2007, several people were injured during the event.

Safety concerns led to it being called off in 2006 after rescue volunteers were unable to assist as they had been called to help with the aftermath of an earthquake.

The race has been held at Cooper's Hill for the last 200 years and is believed to date back to Roman times.

The winner of each race gets to keep the Double Gloucester.