UK Chilli Queen Shahina Waseem reigned supreme as she hosted yet another fiery competition at the third Westbury Chilli Festival.

She oversaw a fiercely fought chilli-eating competition with the eventual joint winners Irena and Jason calling it a draw after 15 rounds.

Shahina hosted the annual challenge organised by The Hot Pods Chilli crew and international body the League of Fire.

Leander Morales said: “They just kept going and they got to round 15 and were going to try and eat four chillis in the fastest time.

“By that, time, they had almost run out of chills but the two had a little negotiation and decided to be joint winners.

“The festival was really well attended, with a bigger crowd than expected.  We normally get around 2,000 people there.

“I would not be surprised if we had around 3,000-4,000 people spread throughout the day.

“We were really lucky again with the weather. The sun shone, the people came together and we had another amazing festival in Westbury."

Shahina said later: “I just got home and am absolutely buzzing from yet another most memorable Wiltshire Chilli Festival.

“Thank you so much for having me. I loved absolutely every single minute. Can’t wait for 2024.”

Wiltshire Times: More than 3,000 people visited the Westbury Chilli Festival in the town's High Street. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-14More than 3,000 people visited the Westbury Chilli Festival in the town's High Street. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-14 (Image: Trevor Porter)

More than 38 stallholders along the High Street sold a wide range of chillis, hot sauces, soft cheese, local produce and international food products.

They included the UK Chilli Sauce Awards, Henry’s Hot Sauces, the Big Ginger Sauce Company, The Chilli Project, Wiltshire Chilli Farm, Simpson’s Seeds, Bath Soft Cheese, and Rebelrox brownies.

Wiltshire Times: Stephen Dixon with his boxes of chillis for sale at the Westbury Chilli Festival. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-6Stephen Dixon with his boxes of chillis for sale at the Westbury Chilli Festival. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Matt Simpson, of Simpson's Seeds at Horningsham, said: "I thought it went very well. It was a very well-run event.

"We made a special Wizard of Westbury sauce for the festival and that had sold out by 2.30pm."

Wiltshire Times: Matt Simpson, of at Simpson Seeds in Horningsham, with his award-winning chilli sauces. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-3Matt Simpson, of at Simpson Seeds in Horningsham, with his award-winning chilli sauces. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Westbury’s children were kept amused by live entertainers, including circus skills, a kid’s corner zone and face painting.

The Day of the Dead livened up the children’s area with a treasure hunt and Spacecraft teams up with them to offer a free Day of the Dead drawing class.

Wiltshire Times: Dean of the Dead, Dean Sharp, feeds his mascot with hot chilli sauce at his Dean of the Dead stall. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-9Dean of the Dead, Dean Sharp, feeds his mascot with hot chilli sauce at his Dean of the Dead stall. Photo: Trevor Porter 70177-9 (Image: Trevor Porter)

As well as the chilli-eating competition and the stalls, visitors were also able to enjoy live music from local artists and musicians, including Mariachi Tequila, Jamma de Samba and the Cley Hill Stompers.

The festival was organised by Westbury Town Council and was sponsored by Honeystone Web Design.