It's official. Blackawton's annual worm hunt is really weird.

In fact the village's popular worm charming festival has been declared one of the nation's quirkiest events.

Each year hundreds of people get down on their knees in the village to try and charm as many worms as possible out of the ground.

Now the International Worm Charming Festival has been given national recognition – for being one of the weirdest events in the country.

Countryfile Magazine has put the festival in second place in its Britain's favourite quirk event category.

Blackawton came second to the World Pooh Sticks championships which take place at Little Wittenham on the Thames in Oxfordshire but it came out ahead of the Northern Ireland Bog Snorkelling Championships.

Blackawton's worm master Nick Smith was over the moon by the unexpected recognitions. He said: 'I am absolutely delighted and I think that it is a reward for everybody who gets involved in putting the event together. It is really good recognition.

'On the day around 20 people are involved in making sure everything runs like clockwork. I would think that about 1,000 people turn up on a good day.

'We have had winners from New Zealand over the years and this year we had competitors from Canada, Belgium and France. I think we do rather well.'

The magazine's awards scheme is now in its second year. Its aim of the scheme is to celebrate the UK countryside and its people, from great landscape attractions to conservation project and regional food.

Awards categories include most beautiful garden, favourite nature reserve, favourite British holiday location, favourite regional dish and favourite market town.

Editor Fergus Collins said: 'The Countryfile Magazine Awards are a great way for the magazine and its readers to celebrate the best of the British countryside.

'Essentially, we're saying a heartfelt thanks to all those who work so hard to protect our landscapes, heritage and wildlife – and having a bit of fun along the way.'