RESIDENTS of Darcy Lever must have thought they were dealing with freak weather when it rained potatoes around the Lever Bridge pub.

But the real reason for the shower of spuds was the pub's newly-resurrected tradition -- a charity potato throwing contest.

Dozens of strong-armed throwers turned out over the weekend to see who could hurl the vegetable furthest over a 125ft high disused railway bridge over the River Tonge.

The competition was part of Sunday's fun day at the pub, which was held to raise money for Bolton Hospice.

Participants paid £1 for three potatoes and took turns to throw them from the pub car park, which is 50 yards away.

Surprisingly, several throwers went the distance, but none could match David Bolton, aged 37, from Lostock.

He said: "I'm really pleased to have won. I didn't practise, but I managed to throw it further than everyone else."

The pub was packed for the event, pleasing landlords Ernie and Debbie Barrow. Mr Barrow said: "A lot of regulars wanted us to start doing the contest again and we know it was been a tradition in the area.

"So we decided to plan a day around the potato throwing and raise money for Bolton Hospice at the same time. It was been a lot of fun."

The event, which is believed to be more than 35 years old, has not been held since 1996, but Mr and Mrs Barrow were told about it when they took over the pub in January.

The most famous event in the Lever Bridge competition's history was in the early 1960s, when the late Harold Wood, of Crossen Street, defeated the Lancashire County Cricket team in the potato-throwing challenge.

But in 1977, Mr Wood conceded his title to England fast bowler Peter Lever during the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations when the cricketer threw his spud the furthest.