A RECORD-SMASHING time was had at one of Dorset’s quirkiest festivals.

Competitors in the Dorset Knob Throwing Competition at Cattistock set three new records in the distance lobbing contest.

They chucked the aerodynamic biscuits in a bid for the titles.

The contest in the village, which is near Dorchester, was held at the same time as the Frome Valley Food Fest.

Dorchester Middle School pupil Max Nuttall, of Weymouth, set a new record at the competition with a throw of a record 22.55 metres – the furthest since 2009.

Dave Phillips lobbed his knob 29.4 metres, with the previous record being 26.1 metres.

And in the women’s competition, Kelda McNeill threw her knob 26.45 metres, again breaking the record.

Cattistock resident Nigel Collins, chairman of the knob throwing committee, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day.

“We had about four to five thousand people attending, the car park was full.

“It seemed to attract people from far afield – they came from Brighton and the Midlands.”

Winners were presented with awards for their efforts.

Stuart Lampert of Charminster proved himself to be a champion knob eater – working his way through 14 biscuits in a minute.

Mr Lampert dunked them in cider to speed up the process.

Additional knob attractions were held including knob painting, a knob and spoon race, guess the weight of the big knob, knob darts and a knob pyramid.

Committee treasurer Richard Watts said once money raised from the festival was added up, it would be divided between local causes.

It will be split between Cattistock Cricket Club, Savill Hall in the village and the Community Space playing field and Maiden Newton and Cattistock Football Club.

He said: “We’re very committed to the festival.