Cheese-rolling champ breaks records … but ends up in pickle

BOTH competitors and records tumbled at the annual cheese-rolling race in Gloucestershire yesterday.

Scores of daredevils from across the world turned out to chase cheeses 200 yards down the steep and slippery slopes of Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth.

Chris Anderson, 30, smashed the alltime record for the most cheeses won in the event – but injured himself in the process. The soldier with 1 Rifles, pictured right, has now taken home a total of 22 Double Gloucester cheeses over the past 14 years. He won two of the three men’s races yesterday but injured his calf.

And he won’t be eating his prize of an 8lb Double Gloucester because he only likes cheddar. Asked about the secret to his success, he replied: ‘Just run and try to stay on your feet.’

The women’s race was won by Flo Early, 27, who also suffered an injury, dislocating her shoulder.

Speaking with her right arm in a sling after having medical treatment, Miss Early, from Stroud, said: ‘I think I’m still a little bit surprised. The race was fine. I know I fell over quite a lot.’

Heavy rain over the past few days made the steep hill very wet and muddy both for competitors and the thousands of spectators who had turned out to watch.

Rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event for a number of years ever since health and safety fears caused the official competition to be cancelled in 2010.