IT won't figure in Sydney's Olympics but townsfolk are set to get a taste for black pudding throwing.

After a gap in competitions of four years, regulars at the Corner Pin pub in Bolton Road North, Stubbins, will chuck the puds at a special world championship this weekend.

But landlord Darren Tingle is still trying to solve a sticky pudding problem by tracking down the defending champ from the last competition which was staged at the watering-hole in 1996.

He said: "We have asked about, but nobody knows who won the last contest. Whoever it is must have the tag of the longest-reigning world champion black pudding thrower.

"We're confident it will be a great event. It's something we have brought back after receiving loads of calls from people asking when it was going to be staged again."

The offal chucking extravaganza was first held at the pub in 1837. Participants are given three throws of a black pudding in an attempt to knock 21 Yorkshire puddings off a pub wall -- a culinary War of the Roses!

It is expected that 100 black puddings will be used in the charity event raising cash for local charities, the winner being presented with a trophy and hopefully a few free pints.

And some of the Lancashire delicacies will also be on offer to eat, although licensee Darren, 34, admits he has never tasted a black pudding.

He added: "This is something Sydney's Olympic Games will not have but we're confident of getting it into the 2002 Commonwealth Games."

The first pud will be thrown at noon on Sunday and organisers say the open-age competition will not stretch beyond 6.30pm. It will cost £1 for three throws.