HUNDREDS of people are expected to descend on a North-East town’s green next week for its annual sporting tradition.

Shrouded in secrecy, the Shrove Tuesday Ball Game has taken place every year for what is believed to be centuries.

It sees residents young and old unite on the streets of Sedgefield, in County Durham, to compete for possession of a small leather ball in a game that can often last all day - following a route known only to those who pursue it.

There are very few rules, but many conventions, including a free drink for the first player to take the ball into any one of the local pubs.

Each year, a resident is chosen to kick off the games by passing the ball through the bull ring on the village green three times at 1pm in front of crowds of people.

Last year the chosen ‘village-elder’ to start proceedings fell to Peter Robinson.

Mr Robinson, who was born and raised in the town, and whose family history in Sedgefield dates back at least to 1555, said it was a “great honour” to have been selected to carry out the esteemed duty.

The game is thought to date back to the year 1256 when the stonemason who completed St Edmund’s Church, just off the green, challenged the countrymen to a celebratory game of football.

Nowadays, it is organised by a secret committee, who rumour has it, keep a low profile to avoid liability for damages.

Last year a man injured at the beginning of the game was taken to hospital but returned for its finish.