The much-anticipated Stilton Cheese Festival did not disappoint as fancy-dress clad participants entertained the large crowds.

People of all ages and abilities teamed up dressed as fairies, housewives and in their pyjamas to roll the famous Stilton shaped wooden cylinder through the village.

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Made from a telegraph pole, the "cheese" could be seen tumbling down from the Bell Inn and The Angel along with its "rollers" until it crossed the finish line at the crossroads between the bottom of Fen Street and Church Street in the village centre.

Prizes, including a whole Stilton cheese, beer and wine, were given to the men and women, while the men also battled it out for the coveted Bell Cup and the women fought it out for the WI Cup.

They will all go down in history as Stilton cheese-rolling champions.

The event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Stilton's twinning with the French village of St Christol les Ales

Hollywood actor Warwick Davis, who has starred in numerous big-screen hits, including Harry Potter, opened the event for the fifth year and used his basic knowledge of French to entertain the crowds.

After the cheese rolling, locals lapped up the sunshine with drinks from one of the many beer tents, while youngsters kept themselves busy ice skating, on bouncy castles and browsing the many stalls which were set up along the High Street.

The Pig Dyke Molly Dancers also entertained the crowds and the evening was topped off with music from the rock band Leon and Friends and Flick66.

Drummer for the band Flick66, Harry Banks (17), from Whittlesey, said: "We came down a bit earlier to check out the crowds and the atmosphere before we went on stage later in the afternoon. Everyone seemed to be having a great time."

Amy Streater (23), from Rampton, near Cambridge, said: "I have never been before, but it was great. It was a beautiful day and there was a lovely village atmosphere."

Rob Abraham (25), from London, said: "It's an event I have always wanted to go to and as the weather is so good, I thought I would come along. It has been buzzing all day, the cheese rolling was brilliant. I will definitely be coming back next year, and hopefully I will enter the competition."