Meet Cumbria's Shooting Champions

Jed Eccles said a strict training regime was essential

BBC Mr Eccles has short white hair. He makes a ridiculous face where his lower lip touches the tip of his nose. — Jed Eccles said a strict training regime was essential

There were hideous faces galore at the World Gurning Championships at the Egremont Crab Fair. The rules have changed little over the years and are quite simple: to impress the judges, you must distort your face as much as possible.

Founded in 1267, the Crab Fair is the most important date in the historic Cumbrian town’s calendar.

This year’s festivities took place on Saturday, where some of the faces on display appeared to defy the laws of physics.

There is no definitive answer as to how or why gurning became a tradition at Egremont, but it is generally accepted that it is one of the few competitive spaces where not having teeth is absolutely considered an advantage.

Claire Lister won the women’s category, her eighth victory, and for the 19th time, Tommy Mattinson was crowned men’s champion.

Claire Lister won the women’s category for the eighth time

A row of women are making ridiculous faces. One of them, Mrs Lister, is wearing a leopard-print dress and holding a rosette. — Claire Lister won the women’s category for the eighth time

A sports field hosts dog shows, vegetable contests and live music, but the main attraction is of course the grinning – with visitors coming from as far as Australia to watch the spectacle.

Potential candidates register that evening and then take the stage in front of hundreds of people to present their work.

Some are taking part for the first time, having trained in front of the bathroom mirror, while other more serious athletes, such as Jed Eccles, say a strict training regime is key – with hours of training every day.

Some competitors train for hours every day before the competition.

Mr. Eccles and a man in a white shirt stand on a stage. Mr. Eccles makes a ridiculous face with his chin thrust out. — Some competitors train for hours every day before the competition.

Mr Eccles said: “I have been practising in front of the mirror for three months.

“I make a face every morning when I wake up. This is just one of them.”

He added that he trained “about three or four hours a day.”

Men’s champion Tommy Mattinson says event brings community together

Mr. Mattinson, who has dark hair and a goatee, makes a ridiculous face. — Men’s champion Tommy Mattinson says event brings community together

Before taking the crown, Mr Mattinson said being a henchman was something of a family legacy.

“My father was a ten-time grinning champion. I continued that tradition,” he said, adding: “I participated in the very first junior competition and won.

“My grandson and granddaughter are the next generation of shooters. We don’t want these fairs to disappear.”

He added: “Once it’s gone, it’s gone. We have to keep doing it.”

“It brings the city together and the atmosphere is electric.”

The evening, held at the town hall, also included a children’s talent show, a trumpet competition, a raffle and a mass sing-along.

In a touching moment, the presenter paid tribute to the legendary gunners of yesteryear, as the city celebrated those who had taken over from them.