World Gurning Championships Egremont CA22 2HH

Each September, flexible-faced contestants descend upon Cumbria for the World Gurning Championships. The event, which attracts people from as far afield as Australia, is part of the annual Egremont Crab Fair that dates back to 1267.

The whole idea is to pull as hideous a face as possible – which is known as gurning. According to organisers, the winner is the contestant who manages to achieve ‘the biggest transformation of the face without artificial help’. That rules out Michael Jackson then!

This year's fair will take place on 20 September.

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