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Dairy danger awaits cheese-rolling competitors

27-May-2009

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While debate continues to rage over the potential health benefits dairy products may have in a balanced diet, a single wheel of cheese continues to be linked to danger and, at the very least, bruising in one English county.

Cheese rolling, an ancient ‘sport’ where dairy-mad daredevils charge down a 60 metre slope to chase a 3.5kg wheel of Double Gloucester cheese, is thought to date back 200 years and continues to create global fascination along with the occasional injury.

Participants from around the world were reported to entered this year’s contest, which took place this week at Cooper's Hill in Gloucester, with a stout hearted male and female participant each winning a cherished cheese as their prize.

Press reports suggest that minor injuries and, in some cases, hospitalisation are equally part of the tradition for some competitors.