CHAMPION black pudding-eater Martin Brimelow is preparing to defend his title and uphold the honour of Bury.

Martin of Robert Street, Bury, was crowned black pudding king after scoffing nine succulent lots of the local delicacy in the town's first ever competition last month. He ispictured on his night of triumph.

But now there's a challenger in the form of 18-stone Joe Robert. And what's more he's not even from Bury!

Robert, from Tyldesley, will be bringing a coach load of supporters with him for the showdown at the Old White Lion on Bolton Street a week Monday ) beginning at 8pm.

And the cocky contender reckons he will have no trouble stealing the title from Martin.

His coach, Don Smith, said: "There's no doubt our man will win. Every one this Martin eats after 10 Joe'll eat one after him. I reckon he can shift 21.

"We are going to storm the White Lion. We'll have them dithering in their shoes."

The battle of the black puddings has come about after Martin told GMR's Heather Stott that he had heard there was someone in the area who could sink 15 and he would like to meet him - or anyone man enough to have a go.

Martin's trainer Richard O'Neill said: "Martin is to black pudding eating what Prince Naseem is to boxing. We will let Martin's eating do the talking."

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