Coronavirus: Dorset knob-eating contest held online amid lockdown

Dorset's annual knob-eating competition has been held online for the first time.

The event - in which contestants vie to gobble more of the county's traditional biscuits than their rivals - usually draws huge crowds.

But this year 100 competitive eaters live-streamed their attempts to swallow the savoury spheres.

Kate Scott, from Shaftesbury, necked eight and a half of the thrice-baked treats to claim the crown.

Contestants across nine heats got a minute to finish off as many knobs as they could manage.

Festival chairman Ian Gregory said the bun-shaped confections were "quite dry" and competitors often used a mug to moisten them.

Top nosher Ms Scott said she was determined to see off non-Dorset competitors and "keep this local".

"It was all in the preparation - I had plenty of time to practise and focus," she said.

"Those knobs were going down - no-one else was going to beat me."

Her impressive score fell some way short of 2015's winner, who necked at least 13 knobs.

Mr Gregory said that "momentous performance" was believed to be a world record.

This year, due to lockdown regulations, each hopeful was sent a packet of regulation Moores Biscuits for their heats.

Organisers said entries had come in from all corners of the UK, including Castle Donington, Ellesmere Port and Cockermouth.

In total, the knob eaters raised more than £1,200 for local charity Weldmar Hospicecare.

Sister event, the Dorset knob-throwing festival, has been postponed until 2021.

Entrants in that competition would normally gather in a field to toss the bun-shaped confections as far as possible.

The knob-throwing event started in 2008 and now incorporates a food festival, knob darts, and games including knob and spoon racing and pinning the knob on the Cerne Abbas giant.