What is the World Marbles Championship?

People have travelled from New Zealand, the US and Germany for the annual World Marbles Championship.

The competition in Tinsley Green in West Sussex has taken place every Good Friday at The Greyhound pub since 1932 and follows in the tradition of the game dating back to the 16th Century.

It was once one of the few sports that could be played during Lent.

Neil White, who travelled from Colorado in the US for the event, said: "It's held in a pub, so what more do you need to say with that? There's beer, good friendship, and that's why I keep on coming back."

Julia McCarthy-Fox, one of the tournament organisers, told the BBC they were grateful the clocks had gone back.

In previous years, she said car headlights had been used to provide lighting when the sun set early, resulting in some flat car batteries.

McCarthy-Fox, who now lives in New Zealand, says she returns to the UK every year for the competition.

She says the tournament is popular because people "love something that is traditional and quirky" and players "become attached" to the activity.

McCarthy-Fox says there are two players, one living in France and one living in the US, who come to the UK just for the event.

"Good Friday was always the last day of the marble season, after it started on Shrove Tuesday, so we always play then," McCarthy-Fox added.

"The deadline [to finish] used to be midday but we had to get rid of that as otherwise we would have to start at 04:00 GMT.

"Usually it starts at about 10:30, when the first two teams who have arrived and been drawn against each other have arrived.

"It's a straight knock out, usually finishing about 18:30."

Spectator Francesca Garnett, who was planning to visit unique world championships across the UK, said: "It's interesting actually that it's in a pub car park on the side of a really busy main road, but actually it seems like it's got a proper tight-knit community."

The game works with 49 target marbles grouped closely together in a 6ft (1.8m) raised concrete ring covered with sand.

Two teams of six players take turns using the tip of the finger to aim and project a larger marble to drive the other marbles out of the ring.

The first team to knock 25 marbles out of the ring is the winner.

McCarthy-Fox added: "It gets very competitive.

"It's a bit like snooker, where if you can get spin on the marble and if you are good, it will go where you want.

"There is lots of skill involved but the best have good hand eye co-ordination."

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