Hundreds competed in the driving rain to achieve a world record at this year’s World Worm Charming Championships, held at Willaston village, in Cheshire.

Worm charming is a typically eccentric English tradition. The event, which has been running since 1980, has one aim: to simply bring the worms out of the soil. The sport adheres to a strictly regulated code, created by the International Federation for Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes. The rules ask all participants to treat the creatures with thought and consideration and to return them to the ground after the contest.

‘The sport has become increasingly popular,’ Mike Forster, Chief Wormer and event organiser, told Positive News. ‘A record of 511 worms was set in 1980 and no-one has come close to beating it. In 1987 it was very nearly achieved but this year, it’s been broken.’ The overall winner was 10-year-old Sophie Smith from Willaston, who managed to charm 567 worms in 30 minutes and claims a new world record.

Contact: Mike Forster, Chief Wormer
Tel: +44 (0)1270 663957
Website: www​.wormcharming​.com

Winner Sophie Smith with her trophy. Photo: © Peter King