FOUR intrepid men tackled a dish of pickled eggs down at their local pub in Chippenham at the weekend.

But the eggs-traordinary menu was all in a good cause.

It was part of a special pub competition to raise money for Lydia's Oasis of Hope appeal.

The sponsored pickled egg contest was held at the New Inn on Saturday afternoon.

Sean Crewe, Tom Pearce, Pip Dry and Dougie Wood took up the challenge to tuck into as many eggs as possible. But not everyone found the choice of food very egg-citing.

Mr Wood soon found he was defeated after devouring only two eggs.

The other three contestants gallantly chewed with vigour and stormed ahead.

Mr Crewe however, staggered everyone. He soon galloped to victory eating an amazing 20 pickled eggs in one sitting. Mr Pearce was a valiant second, downing no less than 16 of the pickled eggs.

Landlord Lionel Hadland said they organised the event because some of his customers knew Lydia and her family. "The competition attracted a lot of attention, and plenty of people were cheering them on."

The contest raised £100 towards the appeal, which has already topped the £20,000 target. The trust was set up to fund 15-year-old Lydia's trip to Mexico where she can receive an alternative cancer treatment.