By Gillian Ellison

Last updated 15:55, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

A HISTORIC gold medal from Cleator Moor Sports is up for auction on ebay.

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TAKIN’ HOD: One side of the medal, for sale on ebay

The Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling medal is engraved with the recipient’s name Ed Blackburn, 1876.

It was from the Cleator Moor 9th Annual Sports and was awarded to the winner of the 11-stone wrestling competition.

This week it is being auctioned (due to finish on Sunday) and had a starting bid of £299.

It is being sold by historical medal dealer, Simon Monks, of Bedfordshire, who bought it from Cumbrian medal expert Michael Finlay.

This is an extract from one of a series of articles written by Mr Finlay: “The 9th Cleator Moor Annual Sports took place in that permanent ring erected for the purpose in Mr Michael Barr’s field at Todholes Farm, Cleator Moor.”

A report extract from the 11-stone class stated: “and the wrestling throughout was admirable. The final falls were between Edward Blackburn and William Hayton.”

The Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association was formed over 100 years ago. Roger Robson, the Association’s current president, said: “It was a very big sport at that time and there would be correspondingly valuable prizes. In 1871 there was a wrestling championship for £300, which in those days was quite something,” he said.

“There’s a rarity value with such a medal because these things disappear,” said Mr Robson, a former wrestler who himself has trophies from Cleator Moor Sports.

The traditional sport still thrives with competitions taking place at shows across the county, including Egremont Crab Fair.