Cheese rolling may be a tradition in Gloucestershire, but have you heard of cheese tossing in Oxfordshire?

If not, it could be because it was the invention of Juliet Harbutt - the brains behind The Great British Cheese Festival.

When I arrived at Blenheim on Saturday, the first session of cheese tossing was in full swing, right alongside the bars selling Hook Norton, English wines and New Forest Cider.

There was no shortage of participants, because all you need to play are a sense of humour and the ability to catch - which may or may not be enhanced by alcohol.

Five teams of two people take part. One of each pair becomes the static "tosser"; the other is the mobile "tosser" - yes, there's plenty of innuendo in this game!

The static "tossers" stand in a line, with their team mates facing them.

Each pair has a "cheese" to throw back and forth. It's a special cheese, with a top secret recipe, but you could substitute a cylindrical cloth bag stuffed with lentils!

Cricket bowling skills won't help: the throw is double-handed from between the legs. With each catch of the cheese, the mobile "tosser" steps back three paces, increasing the distance between them. Drop the cheese and you're out.

Tossing continues until only one pair is left or, in the event of a tie, a "toss off" decides the winner.

Yes, there were plenty of laughs. Could this start a new student craze?

Will evening dress-clad May Ball revellers be competing for bottles of Champagne?

The whole Festival was great fun: lots of free samples to taste, music with the City of Oxford Silver Band and, of course, more cheese than you could shake a grater at.

Isn't it ironic though, that it took a New Zealander - Juliet - to bring the bounty of British cheeses to our notice?

By BBC Radio Oxford's mid-morning presenter, Jan Edwards.