On Abingdon Market Place today the fourth Oxfordshire Chilli Festival took centre stage.

That attracted a number of stalls selling chillis and chilli sauces. There were also a number of other vans and stalls serving hot food, and …

for the first time, in Abingdon, rolled ice cream – a fine anti-dote to chilli.

There was some good live music,

and, to help you enjoy the music, cider from Somerset.

Then towards the end of the festival a very exciting chilli eating contest. Contestants were not allowed to drink, and were supplied with hotter and hotter chillis until the eight contestants

were reduced to two. The guy who had been so cool throughout, eating the chillis faster than anybody else, decided to leave, leaving it to the two ladies.

Last year’s winner, Shaheena was back against the pain again. Last year she was up against Anthony, who had to drop out in fourth place this year. He had not been too well last week so could not give it his best shot.

But after her rival reached for the cup of milk Shaheena realised she had won again.