A sprout lover claims to have beaten the world record for the most number of Brussels eaten in one minute.

Wayne Sherlock scoffed 33 of the festive favourites - two more than the record set by Linus Urbanec of Sweden in 2008.

Watch his winning performance here

It was during a competition held at The Crown Inn pub in Finglehsam which had been organised by Veg UK Ltd, based at Cherry Trees Farm in Ham, near Deal, on Wednesday.

The rules state the greens must be eaten using a cocktail stick and only one sprout can be spiked, eaten and swallowed at a time.

Mr Sherlock, 38, lives in Barfrestone and runs a heavy vehicle recovery company Shamrock Recovery.

He said: "It was a good laugh.

"I'm a regular in the pub and only took part to challenge Tony for a laugh."

Landlord Tony Humphries was the most successful competitor last year, eating 24 of the vegetables, but had to pull out this year.

He continued: "It definitely takes a technique.

"I just chewed like a pig and while doing that looked around for the smaller sprouts.

"I kept the bowl close to my mouth and tried to give myself five seconds at the end to digest them.

"I had some pains in my chest once I'd finished but washed them down with a pint of Fosters."

Asked about the effects of eating such a high number of sprouts, he said: "It's not like everyone would think.

"I wasn't stinking! I was fine."

Triumphant Mr Sherlock, originally from Drumconrath, a village in north County Meath, Ireland, is now planning to get a sprout tattoo to mark his achievement.

He said: "It's going to be a sprout with a crown and the number 33 underneath."

It will go on his right arm next to the American Football fan's only other tattoo, the logo for his favourite team, Chicago Bears.

His efforts were caught on film and will be sent off to the Guinness Book of World Records adjudicators, by Veg UK managing director Julian Pitts, for consideration.

Mr Pitts said: "It was a good night all round.

"Regardless of what the Guinness Book of World Records say, it's a world record in our eyes.

"It was just a bit of fun.

"The worst of it is that we did a trial run and Wayne managed 27 that time. So in total he'd eaten 60 sprouts."

Up to 15 others gave the challenge a go in front of a pub full of people.

The event also raised £100 towards helping the homeless at Christmas.

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