Man vs. Cheese: Competitors Risk Lives in Downhill Dairy Derby

Contestants descended the 200m slope, with a 1:1 gradient in parts, chasing a large Double Gloucester.

The winner of the first race at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, a 19- year-old local man, was stretchered off wearing a neck brace and taking oxygen.

In all, St John Ambulance volunteers dealt with 19 injuries.

As the rain poured down it became impossible for racers to stay on their feet and contestants became caked in mud as they flipped, somersaulted and tumbled their way down the hill.

Christopher Anderson, 19, who won the first race, was carried away from the hill on a spinal board after hurting his back as he finished head over heels.

His friend, Shane Beard, from Brockworth, who also took part in the race, said: "The conditions were horrific, you just have to get your head down and hope for the best.

"Chris went absolutely flying - he is completely fearless but I hope he hasn't hurt himself."

It later emerged that Mr Anderson - who has won the title in consecutive years - did not require hospital treatment.

He returned to the event after receiving a check-up by paramedics and watchedfrom the sidelines for the fifth and last race.

The tradition, which is thought to date back hundreds of years, consists of a series of downhill races, with the winner of each receiving a cheese.

The race has been held at Cooper's Hill for the last 200 years.

Safety concerns led to it being called off in 2006 after rescue volunteers were unable to assist as they had been called to help with the aftermath of an earthquake.