Croque Le Mans

Dawn breaks over the historic French town of Le Mans, but before the residents have even got out of bed there is a buzz of activity in the town square. It is the 12th of June, known locally as 'Le jour du St Fromage' after the patron saint of cheese, and the day on which the annual 'Croque Le Mans' is held.

Trestle tables are erected, bread is toasted and fine cheeses and hams are sliced in anticipation of a dazzling display of gentlemanly competition. Participants gather from the furthest corners of the Earth in the hope of being crowned 'Le Roi du Croque' (King of Crunch), an accolade bestowed on whichever contestant can eat the most toasted cheese and ham sandwiches in a 24-hour period.

Records of this contest stretch back for over 400 years, although local tales suggest it may have been held as early as the late mesolithic period. To date no-one has beaten the record of 1,573 cheese and ham toasties eaten by local man Alain du Pap in 1968, although his victory was steeped in controversy due to accusations that he had used performance-enhancing drugs, and du Pap took his own life six years later with a whisk.

In keeping with tradition the winner is still crowned by 'Madame Lait' (Mrs Milky), represented each year by the winner of the local beauty contest, although for several years during World War 2 Madame Lait was played by a man.