Thrilling World Snail Racing Championship leaves trail of excitement in Norfolk

The annual World Snail Racing Championship took place in Norfolk, east England on Saturday (July 20) seeing over 200 gastropods compete in 19 heats.

Held in the small village of Congham, entrants paid 20p for the privilege of entering this eccentric world championship where they can put forward their own snail or pick one from 'Snail Master' Neil Riseborough.

The snails are placed on a table with two rings marking the start and finish, the first one to reach the outer ring is declared the winner.

There were 13 snails in the final but it was ‘Sammy’ owned by Maria Welby from Grantham, Lincolnshire who won.