HUNGRY hippos at Trowbridge Rugby Club proved their eyes were not bigger than their stomachs as they conquered a Man v Food challenge.

Six speed-eating contestants donned Julia's House t-shirts and devoured their way through two huge Burger Theory burgers, two large fries and 10 mega hot chicken wings in front of a raucous crowd.

In an impressive display of wolfing down the food, James Bolton beat Matt Dowling, Jack Davies, David Wells, Alex Hole and Ross Edwards to reign supreme, finishing the food platter in under 15 minutes.

"It's great news that this Walter Rose & Son Man V. Food (club sponsor) contest will become an annual charity fundraising event here at the club," said Mr Bolton.

"It would be great to see some ladies enter next year to give me a run for my money. I have a whole year to train and will be there to defend my title next year."

His wife, Dawn, put money on him to win and in doing so, bagged herself a couple of rump steaks from Walter Rose and Mr Bolton received a £30 bar tab as a prize.

Jack Cook, director at Walter Rose & Son, said after the event on May 13: "We couldn’t have hoped for better weather today, as proud sponsors of Trowbridge Rugby Football club, it is great to be here to support the club as well as local children’s hospice Julia’s House.

"We have been raising money both in the Devizes shop and here today for their, sponsor a nurse campaign, which is designed to help pay for the nurses caring for sick and life limited children – a very worthy cause.

"It's great to help raise the profile of the charity at a family event like this.”

The food challenge, which raised more than £100 for Julia's House, was part of the club's annual family fun day, which also included inflatables, food, drink, Wadworths shire horses and local charities were there too.