Torrential rains make UK's mud-covered race to become the big cheese a dangerous sport

Racegoers were covered in mud before the event had even began as they struggled to climb the slippery slopes at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire.

And as the rain continued to pour throughout the event it became impossible for competitors to stay on their feet.

The big cheese: Winner of the second race Peter Mackenzie-Shaw

Caked in mud they flipped, somersaulted and tumbled 200 metres down the sheer face in pursuit of a giant runaway circle of cheese.

Organisers claimed the wet weather had softened the ground, reducing the risk of serious injury, but more than 30 volunteers from St John Ambulance were kept busy dealing with 19 injuries.

Christopher Anderson, 19, who won the first race, was carried away from the hill on a spinal board after hurting his back as he tumbled past the finish line head over heels.

Fellow contestant Shane Beard said: "The conditions were horrific, you just have to get your head down and hope for the best.

Torrential rains turned the cheese chase into a dangerous sport

"Chris went absolutely flying - he is completely fearless but I hope he hasn't hurt himself."

As has become the norm, the event attracted competitors and spectators from across the world.

A film crew arrived from Brazil while contestants heralded from far away as Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Among the contestants were comedians Rory McGrath and Patrick McGuinness.

Dairylea-der: Christopher Anderson won the first men's race

McGrath, 52, who lives in the Cotswolds, slid down finishing last in the penultimate race.

He said: "It seems people taking part just dull their fear by having a few drinks beforehand. I think my low centre of gravity counted against me.

"I live nearby but have never been before - they go absolutely flying by."

More than 3,000 drenched spectators climbed the hillside to watch five bone-crunching downhill races.

Edammit: Competitors grimace as they fall to a muddy defeat

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."

It is thought the tradition of cheese rolling may date back as far as the ancient Britons or the Romans, but no-one knows for sure how the race started.

During rationing between 1941 and 1954, a wooden substitute with a token piece of cheese inside was chased by competitors.

Dairy queen: Flo Early trounced her competitors in the women's race