WHO needs Sydney and the Olympic Games -- when you've got Stubbins and black pudding throwing?

It may look like an ordinary pub but the Corner Pin in Bolton Road North, Stubbins, near Ramsbottom, hosts a unique sporting event.

It requires a keen eye, a steady arm... and perhaps even a touch of madness.

This Sunday sees the return of the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships.

And just like the Olympics, there hasn't been one for four years.

It was back in 1996 when Dave Howarth was crowned men's 'lobbing' champion as it was then called and Janine Cunliffe walked away with the women's title.

But a series of events and a change of pub personnel meant the event went off the boil, so to speak.

But now it's back thanks to landlord Darren Tingle.

"I moved in the pub last August Bank Holiday not knowing anything about the black pudding championship," said 34-year-old Darren.

"Regulars started to mention to and we were getting calls from all over the country but it was too late in the day to hold it. It was such a shame to let it go."

After settling himself down in his new trade and indeed new surroundings -- Darren is from Surrey -- the former goalkeeper with Aldershot (when they were in the Fourth Division) set about bringing the tradition back.

After advertising on the Internet, reactions have been "phenomenal," said Darren, who lives at the pub with wife Lynn and children Emma, nine, and Laura, five. "The Jellied Eels Association has been on from London's East End and they want to send their champion, Doug Newman, to compete. They want to see if he can cross the boundaries of sport."

In the sport's history -- claimed to date from the 1800s -- the pub says it has had champions from as far as Australia and competitors from Canada, Japan and even Russia. And with its international ties, Darren says it should be an event the Commonwealth Games in Manchester later this year.

"The Commonwealth Games have a minority section which this is perfect for," said Darren in all seriousness.

"This year's sport has not been decided yet and ours is a world event and an amateur sport which is what they want. Perhaps we could even take it around the world!"

The event takes place this Sunday and Darren is hoping for a special visitor.

Darren says: "We want the former champ Dave Howarth to come back and defend his honour but nobody knows where he lives."