The ancient tradition resembles a rugby game without the rules and saw hundreds of people take to the fields between Hallaton and Medbourne in a battle to get a cask of ale (the 'bottle'] back to their village.

Mail photographer Andrew Carpenter produced a video of the event, which you can see by clicking on the green play button above.

Thousands of people turned out to watch or take part in the event on a warm and sunny Bank Holiday.

Dave Marlow, who grew up in Hallaton, was this year's 'Master of the Stowe', following in his grandfather's and great grandfather's footsteps as he threw the bottle into the air to start the contest.

"The first bottle looked as if it was going to Medbourne," he said.

"But we managed to get it back to Hallaton. My younger brother Kevin carried the bottle home actually. It was really hard fought."

Hallaton got the next bottle to take this year's best-of-three contest 2-0 – their 20th win in the last 22 matches.

The day began with the traditional parade of small beer kegs or 'bottles' and the Hare Pie at 9.30am.

Parish priest, the Rev Nicola Morgan, blessed the pie and called for a fair contest before the pie was handed out to the crowd.

Among the spectators was Leicester Tigers and England scrum half Harry Ellis.

Mr Marlow, who took over chief Bottle Kicking duties from Phil Allan, a spectator for the first time in 25 years due to injury, said: "It went very well. There were thousands of people there. We try to keep to tradition and we seem to get more and more people turn out each year.

"It was a fairly mild one with just a few cuts and bruises. The ground was just about right – we'd had a bit of rain over the weekend so it wasn't hard.

"I feel battered this morning though. I'm having a job to move. You expect that but it's a good job it's only one day a year!"

The traditional tug of war contest, held this year at Medbourne sports ground, saw Medbourne beat Ashley in the children's section and Ashley win the men's and women's pulls.

A spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "The crowds at the Bottle Kicking Contest were in good spirits this year.

"We had highly skilled emergency staff at the scene to treat injuries sustained and vehicles available should anyone have required further treatment at hospital.

"We were visited by 15 people who had suffered a minor injury such as cuts and bruises and treated all at the scene.

"No-one needed transporting to hospital."