A JUBILEE cheese was the top prize yesterday as rebel cheese rollers took part in a competition to chase an 8lb cheese down a hill – and a North Yorkshire soldier was one of the winners.

Hardcore thrillseekers staged the unofficial event after the world-famous Cheese Rolling was officially cancelled in 2010.

Competitors took part in four races down the 1:2 gradient – three men’s races and a women’s – with the final men’s race held with a jubilee cheese.

The annual event attracted media from around the world to Cooper’s Hill, Brockworth, near Gloucester.

Several hundred spectators watched as the daredevil athletes pursued the double Gloucester cheese down 200 metres of wet grass, brambles and nettles.

They slipped, somersaulted and tumbled their way to the bottom of the hill – and the first person to grab the cheese won.

Craig Fairley, 26, from Brockworth, won the Jubilee race while champion cheese roller Chris Anderson, 24, from Catterick, North Yorkshire, won the two other men’s races.

Lucy Townsend came out on top in the women’s race.

Mr Fairley said: “I don’t even like cheese.”

Mr Anderson, originally from Brockworth, who has won in seven previous years, said: “It’s been brilliant, there’s a brilliant turnout and the first two races went to plan.”

The Army recruit is in training to join The Rifles at Catterick, but said he was on his two weeks’ leave in order to defend his title.

“It’s a massive event for myself and the local community, just to keep the tradition alive,” he said.

“Obviously it would be nice if we had the ambulance to cover it and a bit more of an official setting, you look at how many people turned up this year – if they don’t do something about it, it’s going to go massive again.”

He said he would be giving his cheese away, stating he also was not a fan of the Double Gloucester.

“Nah, I don’t like this stuff – it’s too strong,” he said.

The unusual event has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.

But in 2009, more than 15,000 people turned up as spectators, causing safety concerns.

The event was cancelled in 2010 and in 2011 it was halted after plans to charge £20 were met with protests.