News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The winner of the World Garlic Eating Competition is celebrating after chomping 33 raw cloves of Iberian garlic in 60 seconds.

David Greenman, 34, beat the runner-up by two cloves - but missed out on equalling the world record by just one portion.

Organiser Mark Botwright, 50, said: “It was only running out of time that stopped him. He came to the contest alone, which is just as well.”

There were 25 ­participants in the competition held in Chideock, Dorset, and Mark, of the South West Garlic Farm, said: “Iberian garlic is really the only variety that is anywhere near palatable when eaten raw.

“It was only picked a few days ago so is was at its freshest for the contest, and would usually be really hot.

“But because the contest was only one minute long, there wasn’t enough time for it to burn the mouth.

“Nobody was sick during the event but there were a few facial expressions and screwed up faces.

“The whole place stank afterwards. You only had to stand 10ft away from a contestant to tell they reeked.

West Dorset is also home to the annual World Nettle Eating Championships which attracts hundreds of competitors to the Bottle Inn at Marshwood.