An annual cheese-rolling race sparked brutal scenes as fearless daredevils hurtled down the hill.

Dramatic footage shows participants sprinting down the steep slopes of Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire on Monday, May 26.

Each race sees competitors chase a 7lb (3kg) wheel of Double Gloucester cheese, with the winner claiming the prize.

German YouTuber Tom Kopke won the event for the second year in a row, saying he 'risked his life' to take the title.

Tom said: 'Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people were injured.'

There were seven races in total, two of them held in memory of former cheese-rolling champions who have since passed away.

Tom added: 'It was crazy. This year was different. I shut off my brain and went for it. All the people at the top said they were going to steal my title, but this is mine.

'I worked for this. I risked my life for this. It's my cheese back to back.'

Thousands of spectators watched the races from the sides, top, and bottom of Cooper's Hill.

Local media reported that at least two individuals were taken to the hospital.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said it dispatched an air ambulance and five land ambulances to the event following the first race at around 12:15 BST.

The cheese-rolling race, believed to date back more than 600 years, is a traditional event held annually on the late May bank holiday. Although unofficial, it is largely supported by local volunteers and regularly attracts participants worldwide.