FORGET the Olympics or Euro 2016, the biggest sporting event of the year is upon us.

This weekend hundreds of people will descend on Cattistock for the annual Dorset Knob Throwing contest.

The event takes place this Sunday (May 1) alongside the Frome Valley Food Festival.

The Dorset Knob Throwing involves lobbing a spherical, firm, dry savoury biscuit, which has been made by local Dorset bakers Moores since 1860 as far as you can.

The event is organised by the Dorset Knob Throwing Committee in partnership with Moores, along with Dorset Tea, Dorset Food and Drink and the Dorset AONB.

This is the ninth time the festival has been held with a range of other Knob related activities on offer.

There will be activities including Knob eating, Knob painting, guess the weight of the big Knob, Knob darts and a Knob pyramid.

For a bit of cross Village rivalry there is also the Pin the Knob on the Cerne Giant game and there will also be a chance to take part in the Knob and spoon race.

The Frome Valley Food Festival will run alongside the Knob Throwing with a chance to sample, taste and buy foods including breads, cheeses, ciders, meats, game, poultry, pies and much more, all supplied by local businesses.

As well as providing a fun day out, the event raises money for village organisations in Cattistock – the cricket club, the football club, the playing fields and the Savill Hall, which are all coming together to organise the event.

Last year’s event attracted 5000 visitors and 50 food stands and organisers are hoping for another successful event.

Nigel Collins, chairman of the Dorset Knob Throwing Committee, talked about what makes the event special.

He said: “It’s the unique selling point of the Knob. It’s probably the play on words and perhaps people who are not from Dorset get a little bit excited, it’s that play on words that makes it unique.

“Also it’s the atmosphere, we’ve got a wonderful village.”

Mr Collins also said that if all goes to plan the crew of HMS Cattistock will be coming to man one of the stalls, the Knob catapult.

While throwing the Dorset Knob Throwing is a fun competition, people are expected to follow a set of rules including only using the Dorset Knobs provided, underarm throwing only and one foot remaining on the group at all times, if it breaks on impact the judges have the final say on where it landed.

The winning of the Knob Throwing event gets to keep their biscuit and also receives a commemorative plaque.

The event runs from 10am until 4pm and takes place in the centre of Cattistock and free car parking will be signposted on the day on the way in to the village