THE hotly-contested World Pea Shooting Championships took place in Witcham on Saturday. The competition, now in its 37th year, saw competitors hailing from far and wide. Experienced shooter George Hollis, victor in 1994 and 1995, won the world title for t

THE hotly-contested World Pea Shooting Championships took place in Witcham on Saturday.

The competition, now in its 37th year, saw competitors hailing from far and wide.

Experienced shooter George Hollis, victor in 1994 and 1995, won the world title for the third time and Alistair Berry finished runner-up.

Sandra Ashley won the women's category for the third year in a row, with Emma Wood runner-up, and the children's category was won by Joshua Carter, with Alfie Ball in second place.

Treasurer of the Witcham Village Hall Committee, Judy Phillips, said: "The weather was fine and the turnout was the best we've had for years. We raised more than £1,300 for the village hall, which is a fantastic achievement."

The World Pea Shooting Championships have been held on the village green in Witcham since 1971.

They started after the village schoolmaster, Mr Tyson, caught some pupils amusing each other by pinging peas one another and he confiscated the offending weapons.

The village had identified the need for a village hall at the time and were seeking ways to raise funds and Mr Tyson suggested the World Pea Shooting Championships.

The hall was duly built, and the rest...

Mr Tyson died in 2003 and the winner receives the John Tyson Shield.