A CHEESE-ROLLING competition will be held this weekend in a town celebrating 850 years of market trading.

Everyone is invited to roll giant, fake cheeses down a hill in Richmond on Saturday.

The event is one of several being staged to celebrate the granting of the town's first Royal charter, giving permission for a market in 1155.

Winners who roll their cheese the farthest will be awarded charter cheeses, produced by the local Swaledale Cheese Company.

"We decided on a cheese-rolling competition as a fun idea for all the family," said Richmond Mayor Stuart Parsons.

"We wanted to create a community event that involved a local food producer, in honour of Richmond's 850 years of successful market trading.

"When the Swaledale Cheese Company offered to produce a special market charter cheese, it seemed a perfect opportunity to tie it in with a family competition."

The cheese-rolling will be held at Westfields, in Richmond, from 2.30pm. Other events over the weekend include Richmond's annual first fruits ceremony. It will be held on Saturday, at 10.30am, in Richmond Market Place.

A car boot sale will take place in the market place from 9am to 3pm on Sunday. To book a place, contact Richmond Town Council on (01748) 850808 to book a place.

Cream teas will be served in the town hall on Saturday and Sunday, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.