Down-hill cheese chase injures 25

A teenager who knocked himself out while chasing a cheese down a steep hill was among 25 people hurt in a traditional, and rather silly, race.

Chris Anderson, 18, won one of the five races in the yearly Cheese Rolling competition, in which people chase a big cheese down a hill.

Two people were taken to hospital after the race on Coopers Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire.

One spectator was apparently injured by a run-away cheese.

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Cheese rolling facts Dates from well before the 1850s Might come from pagan festival to scare away bad spirits Cancelled three times, in 1998, 2001 and in 2003 During and after the Second World War, a wooden substitute was used containing a token piece of cheese inside

People from as far afield as America, Australia, Norway and Sweden travel to the village every year to take part in the contest.

The contest dates back hundreds of years, and winners of each of the races receive a hefty circle of cheese.

Mr Anderson said: "I just ran, fell and hit my head. I feel sore but it was definitely worth it."

The women's race was won for the third year in a row by New Zealander Dione Carter, who said she now planned to retire from the competition.

The 26-year-old nanny from Auckland said: "I feel great, it's fantastic to come here again and win and I suppose I'm just very lucky to win again because there's no real technique to it."