Dutch Gouda saves Gloucestershire's cheese rolling contest

Gloucestershire's controversial cheese rolling competition has been saved by Dutch Gouda.

Competitors were forced to use plastic cheese instead of Double Leicester in the annual race due to health and safety concerns but real cheese will be used again, thanks to Holland's 3kg Gouda, ITV News reports.

Jasper Kuin and his friends, from Gloucester's twin town Gouda, wanted to help when they heard of the problem.

Speaking to South West Business, he said: "We heard disturbing news about how people might not be able to follow this beautiful tradition dating back to the 1800s and we wanted to help.

"We were going to roll an 11kg cheese but we have been told that might not be very good for health and safety reasons and we understand that.

"We will have some at around 3kg and we want to try some Double Gloucester cheese too."

Last year, an 86-year-old grandmother was warned by police not to supply a giant Double Gloucester wheel for the cheese rolling festival near Brockworth, Gloucestershire - because it would be too "dangerous".

For the past 25 years, Diana Smart had been making a special cheese wheel for the annual event, which sees competitors chase cheese down the 200-yard Cooper's Hill, Gloucestershire.

Mrs Smart got the surprise visit from three police officers who warned her not to donate the 8lb wheel because it was a health and safety hazard.

Mrs Smart was told that she would be liable for any injuries if she went ahead with providing the cheese.

Speaking to The Sun, Mrs Smart said: "The police came to my farm and said it could cause us an enormous amount of damages.

"They threatened me, saying I would be wholly responsible if anyone got injured," she told the Daily Mail.

"I'm 86, I don't have the will or the cash to fight any lawsuits. It's crazy."

Related articles

Butlins bans bumper cars: health and safety gone mad?