Skylark hosted its first ever Chilli Pepper Eating Competition earlier this week.

Cambs Times: Skylark Chilli Eating Competition. Strawberry eating competition for the children. Winner was William Powell, from Manea. He won a season ticket for the maze and a trophy.Skylark Chilli Eating Competition. Strawberry eating competition for the children. Winner was William Powell, from Manea. He won a season ticket for the maze and a trophy. (Image: Archant)

Six contestants faced seven spicy rounds, starting with the mildest, the Padron before working up to 1.3 million units on the Scoville scale with the Dorset Naga.

Each contestant was given just 30 seconds to digest a number of varying chillies, including: the Jalapeño, Super, Serenade, NuMex Twilight Habanero and Scotch Bonnet.

When the contest ended in a three-way tie-break, each combatant had to eat as many chillies as possible in half a minute.

Ross Sutton, who lives in Peterborough, was crowned the winner and awarded £100 of Skylark vouchers and a trophy.

Cambs Times: Skylark Chilli Eating Competition. The winner was Ross Sutton from Peterborough. Who won £100 of Skylark vouchers, a trophy and of course, bragging rights.Skylark Chilli Eating Competition. The winner was Ross Sutton from Peterborough. Who won £100 of Skylark vouchers, a trophy and of course, bragging rights. (Image: Archant)

There was also a Strawberry eating competition for children where each competitor had to eat as many as they could in 30 seconds - with their hands behind their back.

Winner, William Powell, who lives in Manea, was awarded with a season ticket for the Maze and a trophy.

Edward Gowler, owner of Skylark Garden Centre, said: “It was a great event, it had a really fun atmosphere with the audience cheering the competitors and the children taking part too.

“We will definitely do it again next year,” he added.

“I hope Ross comes back to defend his title”