Google 'Stinging Nettle' and this is what comes up - Nettles are covered with tiny nearly invisible stinging hairs that produce an intense, stinging pain, following redness and skin irritation'. So why would anyone chow them down? To win the coveted 'King of Stingers' title of course!

The Stinging Nettle Eating competition is an annual tradition at the Bottle House Inn in West Dorset, Marshwood. Now in its 21st year, it all started when Alex Brown, a local resident came with what he claimed was the longest nettle branch and promised to eat it if anyone was able to produce anything longer. Much to his dismay, an American couple came in with a 16-inch nettle, a tad bit longer then his 15.6 inch specimen. True to his word, he chowed it down and thereby began the 'Stinging Nettle Eating' competition.

The rules are simple. Each competitor receives several 2ft. long stalks of nettle and one hour to eat as many of the leaves as they can. The competitor, who eats the most nettles, is crowned 'King of Stingers'. To discourage cheating, the nettles are handed out by the Inn, and to ensure that competitors are actually eating all the leaves, no bathroom breaks are allowed. However, since this a local pub, a swig or two of beer, in between bites, is highly encouraged.

This year's competition, which was held on June 19th, was attended by over 1,500 people, who cheered on the 61 contestants, as they put themselves through sheer torture!

Sam Cunningham a rookie, from Wellington, Somerset, took home the coveted title after plodding his way through an astounding 74ft. of nettle - almost double the 48ft. consumed by last year's winner Mike Hobbs. The women were no slouches either - Laura Revell from Portland, Dorset munched through 40ft. of the nasty stuff and was crowned, 'Queen of Stingers'. Following the event, contestants and onlookers listened to some great music and ate soda bread - with nettles of course!

Nettle leaves are very nutritious and a regular addition to teas, stews and even beers in the UK. They can however be a little tricky when eaten raw. That's because spikes on the leaves are covered with acid, which oozes out when chewed - This not only cause a burning sensation, but also, leaves a 'hulk' like green color that lasts for days - ouch!

sources: odditycentral.com thebottleinn.co.uk, morningstarr.co.uk