Revellers flocked from as far as London and Glasgow to compete in the World Gurning Championships at Egremont Crab Fair but it was Adrian – from Coventry – who claimed the title.

Adrian Zivelonghi, 49, pipped multiple champion Tommy Mattinson to victory to take the trophy for the first time.

“This is the only thing that I could become a world champion at,” said Adrian, minutes after his win.

“I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight, I feel like I shouldn’t be here. It hasn’t sunk in yet.”

The gurner, who has been visiting the fair since 2000, always competes as Adrian from Coventry to save the announcer from mispronouncing his surname.

“Adrian is a very worthy winner, he has been a big supporter of the Crab Fair for more than 15 years,” said Crab Fair chairman Steve Foster. “He helps out every year and he is exactly the sort of person who deserves recognition. We’re delighted for him.”

Legendary competitor Mattinson took second place while Egremont’s Ged Eccles was awarded third.

The ladies title was won by Claire Spedding, 29, for the second year in a row and her daughter Georgia Lister, seven, claimed the junior award.

This year’s Crab Fair queen Madison Robb, 11, presented the winners with their trophies.

Before the gurning got underway the Market Hall crowd was entertained by a junior talent contest, traditional hunting songs and horn blowing.

Earlier in the day, Jez Avery’s biking stunt show impressed visitors as well as a birds of prey display. The parade of the apple cart also took place. Street racing, an exhibition of classic and vintage vehicles and greasy pole entertainment delighted the crowds.

“It went extremely well – like all the years so much depends on the weather and it has been beautiful,” said the chairman. “We’ve had great crowds and everyone has enjoyed themselves, with no trouble.”

And Crab Fair secretary Callum Scott said: “We’ve had great feedback and the biggest crowds in a lot of years on the streets. The crowds for the apple carts were exceptional.”

On Friday performances from 2011 X Factor finalist Kitty Brucknell and from the Midnight Soul Sisters, a Motown tribute act featuring Bupsi Brown – an X Factor finalist from 2015 – thrilled Main Street crowds. An array of dancers and musicians entertained visitors while the traditional fancy dress wheelbarrow race and pipe smoking also took place.

Brucknell, who also helped to judge the gurning competition, said: “It was really, really different, I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Attention now turns to planning for next year’s 750th anniversary as organisers seek grants and arrange fundraising events.

Mr Foster said: “It has been a very successful year and now our thoughts turn to next year for the 750th anniversary. I don’t think any other fair will have celebrated that anniversary, it’s so unique.”