A quiet corner of the countryside became a hotbed of high hopes when the World Pea Shooting championships attracted a Canadian TV crew to the 45th yearly contest.

Cambs Times: World Championship Pea Shooting, at Witcham, Junior players (l-r) Marcus Bresler, Charlotte Collins, defending Junior World Champion Martha Collins, and Maddie Bresler,World Championship Pea Shooting, at Witcham, Junior players (l-r) Marcus Bresler, Charlotte Collins, defending Junior World Champion Martha Collins, and Maddie Bresler, (Image: Archant)

The championship courted controversy when Rob Besler, who has been the reigning champ for three years, failed to even qualify.

However, disappointed Rob celebrated when wife Aimi and son Marcus took over the mantle of glory by keeping it in the family and walking away with trophies.

Laser levels, competitive banter, more juniors than ever before and even a Barbie doll pea shooter graced the starting blocks at the annual fund raiser which brought in around £2,000.

John Wells, one of the organisers, said: “It’s one of the must do quirky sports on the British calendar which I’m guessing is why the Canadian film crew turned up. They got lost on the way but luckily found us for what was a fantastic day.

Cambs Times: World Championship Pea Shooting, at Witcham, Robbie Nicholls, from Sutton,World Championship Pea Shooting, at Witcham, Robbie Nicholls, from Sutton, (Image: Archant)

“It was very competitive as it is every year with people picking the right peas, calibrating their shooters and a lot of determination to pick up a trophy.”

More than 120 people entered the competition with more than 40 in the juniors section.

“It’s pretty impressive that such a small village has managed to keep the tradition going. There are the die hard yearly fans and then people who come along to have a go for the first time.”

Open champion was Jim Collins and runner up Allistair Berry.

Cambs Times: World Championship Pea Shooting, at Witcham, the Lionel Richie Fan Club, from Chatteris, (l-r) Martin Skerrett, Alex Harrison, Daniel Hiley, and Anthony Bottazzi,World Championship Pea Shooting, at Witcham, the Lionel Richie Fan Club, from Chatteris, (l-r) Martin Skerrett, Alex Harrison, Daniel Hiley, and Anthony Bottazzi, (Image: Archant)

Ladies champion was Michelle Berry. Runner up Aimi Bresler.

Junior champion was Marcus Bresler. Runner up was Rylee Gulliver.

Adult team winners were Haddenham Beer Festival Rob Bresler, Toby Bush, Eric Bresler, Allistair Berry.

Runners up were Haddenham Easy Riders Richard Marsden, Ian Thomas Ashmeade, Jim Collins, Daniel Cross.

Junior team winners were Petite Pois of Madeline Bresler, Marcus Bresler, Martha Collins and Charlotte Collins.