THE ancient and rather enjoyable Dorset pastime of nurdling returned to the county’s back lanes thanks to some television stars.

Comics and honorary nurdlers Rory McGrath and Paddy McGuinness tried their hand at the unusual activity around Upwey for their series in which they travel the country taking part in strange but quintessentially British sporting events.

Dorset is keeping the hapless pair busy for their Channel Five show, Rory and Paddy’s Great British Adventure.

Rory took part in the World Stinging Nettle Eating Championship at the Bottle Inn in Marshwood last year and this summer the pair came to Weymouth for the International Maritime Modelling Festival.

Other programmes have seen them toe wrestling in Derbyshire, bog snorkelling in Wales and worm charming in Cheshire.

The nurdling game was organised on the Ridgeway by a group of friends who are trying to revive the sport and use the Old Ship Inn at Upwey as their base.

The nurdlers were filmed for a BBC1 programme last year and are hoping it can be incorporated in some way into celebrations to mark the 2012 Olympics.

Two teams were formed with one side wearing cloth sacks to distinguish them from their rivals.

Albert the Tall, aka Upwey potter Bill Crumbleholme who is researching the history of nurdling and has set up a website dedicated to the game, said: “We had an all-comers game where I advertised the fact that Rory and Paddy wanted to play and appealed for others to join in.

“A few dozen responded and we had 20 or so watching although I must say it’s not really a spectator sport.

“You really have to join in to get it.

“It’s difficult explaining to someone in a pub how to play it.”

Bill added: “Rory and Paddy have a good sense of humour and come across as nutters in their programme so this game was quite apt for them. Nurdling isn’t meant to be a contact sport but a certain amount of arguing went on over possession.

“The programme is more about them than what they do so it’s hard to know their feeling about nurdling but they seemed impressed.

“I’m sworn to secrecy about the outcome of the game.

“It will be interesting to see what comes out in the edit.”

Mr Crumbleholme understands the nurdling will feature in the second series of Rory and Paddy’s Great British Adventure to be shown early next year on Channel Five.