Racegoers were covered in mud before the event had even started as they bravely climbed the slippery slopes at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire.

Every year contestants flip, somersault and tumble their way 200 metres down the sheer face in pursuit of a giant runaway circle of cheese.

Before the event got under way organisers reassured competitors - who had arrived from far away as Japan, Australia and the United States - that the event would go ahead whatever the weather.

Among the more terrified-looking contestants were comedians Rory McGrath and Patrick McGuinness. McGrath, 52, who lives in the Cotswolds, said: "I have done absolutely no preparation for this which is worrying. It seems people taking part just dull their fear by having a few drinks beforehand." McGuinness, known best for being Peter Kay's sidekick, added: "You don't get anything like this in Bolton. I think we'll let them get on with it when we take part before trying to get down as carefully as we can."

Thousands of people gathered on the hillside, which in places has a 1:1 gradient, to watch five bone-crunching downhill races.

The winner of the first race, Christopher Anderson, 19, was carried away from the hill on a spinal board after hurting his back as he tumbled past the finish line head over heels. His best friend, Shane Beard, also 19, finished second.

McGuinness and McGrath took part in the penultimate race - and both finished joint last.

After taking several tumbles, McGrath, who was caked in mud, joked: "I think my low centre of gravity counted against me. I live nearby but have never been before - they go absolutely flying by."

Flo Early, a 17-year-old student from Painswick, was triumphant in the women's downhill. She said: "Next year I want to take on the boys."