SAUSAGE slingers will be competing to be the best banger thrower at an annual festival.

The Harwich Sausage Festival is returning to town, and will give visitors the chance to take part in a sausage throwing competition, taste succulent sausages and drink lots of ale.

Colin Cheesman, a member of the sausage sub committee, said: “There will be real ale, cider, local sausages and a fantastic atmosphere in historic Harwich pubs - what’s not to like?”

People will be throwing sausages on behalf of sausage producers and it is important to note only out-of-date supermarket sausages will be thrown - not the gourmet ones that will be tasted later.

Last year’s sausage throwing champion was Todd Rothwell, who managed a throw one 152 feet and six inches, but failed to beat his own record of 157 feet, which he set in 2017.

Every year Tendring butchers and producers are invited to compete in the sausage tasting competition, and this year 12 producers are taking part from all over the district.

On the day the sausages are presented in the three host pubs- which include the Alma Inn, the Hanover and the New Bell Inn.

Each voter must taste all 12 sausages for their vote to count and choose their favourite.

Sausages can be entered in two classes - the butchers’ class and the innovation class.

The winner will receive the treasured Frying Pan Trophy and will be going forward to the national Champion of Champions Sausage Competition the following year.

Richard Oxborrow, a member of the sausage sub committee, said: “Tendring is home to some true sausage talent.

“Come and sample the fantastic wares of local butchers and help propel your favourite in to the national sausage finals.”

The festival will start at 11am for the ‘pre-meat’ at the Hanover Inn, in Church Street, followed by the throwing competition at 11.30am, which lasts 30 minutes.

The sausage testing will start from noon at the pubs, and the winners will be announced at 3pm at the New Bell Inn.

The festival takes place tomorrow and is organised by the Tendring Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.