Competitors will once again ready their pastry as the World Custard Pie Championship returns to Kent today.

Started more than 50 years ago to raise funds for a village hall, it has blown up to become an event which attracts contenders on a global scale - one team even coming from as far as Japan.

Teams of four will venture to Coxheath recreation ground in Maidstone to participate in the annual pie-chucking event.

The projectiles are made from a closely-guarded recipe and must be thrown with the left hand.

Points are awarded for where an opponent is hit - six points for a headshot, three for hitting the shoulder and one point for anywhere else on the body.

If a player misses three times, points are instead deducted.

The event starts at noon today with many stalls selling food.