THE MYSTERIOUS folk who inhabit Britain's rural communities are responsible for some strange stories, whether they be of big cats or alien abductions.

But the end of this month should see confirmation that one terrifying event, reputed to be held annually in Gloucestershire, is fact rather than fiction. No, not the ceremonial burning of an innocent intruder in a giant Wicker Man - the annual Cheese Rolling and Wake at Cooper's Hill.

It's a simple sport. Competitors line up at the summit of the precipitous hill, with a guest roller holding a seven- to eight-pound round Double Gloucester cheese.

On the master of ceremonies' command, the cheese is released to roll down the hill, and one second later the competitors hurl themselves down after it.

The first one to reach the bottom of the slope wins the cheese, and the runners-up get a small cash prize.

It's not a complicated game, but it is an extremely risky one, as anyone who's seen the cheese gather speed down the 1:2 slope while followed by a tumbling mass of people will testify.

The tradition was already believed to be old in the 1800s, and the hill is crowned by the remains of a Ancient Briton fort.

Retired teacher Jean Jefferies, who lives on Cooper's Hill, is writing a book on the history of the event.

She said: "The ceremonies may have evolved from those of the Phoenicians, who are thought to have visited Britain on trading expeditions in about 1000 BC, or perhaps from the Romans.

"Or perhaps ancient fertility rites are the origin of the festivities. It seems originally that the event took place in midsummer. "At some point it was moved to Whit Monday, and in 1967 it was moved again to the last Monday in May."

But the event's recent history has been unlucky. It was cancelled in 2001 because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, and last year because vital safety crews were not available.

This year's event takes place at noon on Monday, May 31, and anyone who wants to join the madness can go along to Cooper's Hill, near Brockworth, off the A46 Cheltenham-Stroud road.