THE chance to toss a few knobs in the sunshine was irresistible to more than 5,000 people who came to Cattistock to pit their skills.

It was the village’s second ever knob-throwing contest and beat last year’s rain-drenched affair by miles, said organiser Nigel Collins.

The contest is held using Dorset Knob biscuits. The spherical biscuits have been made by Moore’s Biscuits, of Bridport, since 1860.

Luckily for village pride the record for the longest throw went to home-grown talent when Philip German-Ribon threw his knob 26.1 metres after last year’s title was taken by a South African.

Rival Toller Porcorum man Ben Walbridge came a close second and villager Leah Stewart took the trophy for the women with a 20.2-metre throw. Maiden Newton’s Solo Roper was the under-12 champ with an 18.5-metre toss.

Inspiration for the knob-throwing competition came from Yorkshire pudding-throwing on Robbie Coltrane’s Incredible Britain TV – but Mr Collins knew Dorset had a far better missile and Moore’s Biscuits, makers of the famous knob, agreed.

Money raised will go towards capital expenses to keep the village sports clubs and playing fields going.

The contest was the highlight of the Knob Throwing and Frome Valley Food Fest at Cattistock.

There was also knob painting, a knob and spoon race, knob darts, a knob pyramid and guess the weight of the big knob.