Four friends tried to chomp their way through 10lbs of sprouts each and raised around £1,000 for charity. Crowds cheered as the men took to the tables at the Woodside Pub in Crewe last night for the sprout-munching contest.

Competitors were given 10 minutes to eat as many of the vegetables as they could, with all money raised going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

And builder Rick Moses, right, aged 37, from Crewe, was the overall winner, devouring 5lbs 5ozs. Pub chef Mike Coleman, below, came a close second, scoffing 5lbs 4ozs.

But fellow entrants Chris Spencer and Stuart Tonks, who are both from Crewe, had eyes bigger than their bellies and did not finish the contest.

Mike, aged 32, who has worked at the pub for 14 years, said: "The two other lads were gone in the first five minutes, but me and Rick managed to keep going to the end. There's a pot washer working in the kitchen with me this weekend, but if he finds out I've eaten 5lbs of Brussels sprouts, he probably won't turn in."

Licensee Denise Marchant, aged 57, who runs the pub with her husband Ian, said: "We're delighted to have raised so much money."

Don't miss Monday's Sentinel for Alan Cookman's verdict.

Pictures: Shaun Smith