HUNGRY Barrovians put their stomachs to the test in the name of charity when they took on a new Man v Food challenge.

Organised by the popular Barrow Market newcomer Grilla Cheese, contestants consumed thousands of calories in the first ever Grilla Thrilla challenge.

Contestants stepped up to the plate and finished 13 chicken wings coated in a homemade hot sauce in 13 minutes all to raise money for St Mary’s Hospice.

The event is to become regular in the market calendar organised by the market stall bosses.

The sauce, made by Grilla Cheese co-owner Mandy Chubb, was made with a mixture of naga chillies, jalapeños, novelty hot sauces, 21 scotch bonnets and eight California reapers - the last being the spiciest chilli on earth.

Ms Chubb said: “I’ve no sympathy for them, they volunteered for the challenge. I’m the one who made the sauce and even I wouldn’t want to try eating it.

“You might say I clipped their wings by the end of it.”

Five contestants sat down to take on the challenge outside the Grilla Cheese stall in the market, with stall co-owner Malcolm Lingard acting as a host for the event.

The only rules of the challenge were that the contestants needed to finish the dish in the given time, and if they reach for the milk, they forfeited.

Liam Rooke, Gareth Davies, Keith Maclean, Tommy Bamford and John Tyreman were the men brave enough to step up to the challenge, with the added pressure of a eager crowd gathered to watch.

By the end of the long and messy challenge, two contestants had forfeited and Gareth Davies managed to conquer the challenge with just under six minutes to spare.

Gareth netted himself a £25 voucher to the Grilla Cheese stall along with his picture being posted on the stall’s new wall of fame.

When asked about the challenge and how the wings were, Mr Davies said: “Very, very hot. Hotter than I thought they would be originally.

“It’s a different kind of heat to when I’ve had other spicy food, it almost makes you feel numb.

“My tactics were to get the first half in as fast as I could, then just keep forcing them down when I got to the second half.”

Audience members were excited to see who, if anyone, would conquer the challenge, gathering round the table and cheering on the men to push through.

By the end of the event, more than £130 had been raised for St Mary’s Hospice.

This total did not include the copper coins donated or any money raised in the lead-up to the event.

Staff and volunteers from St Mary’s Hospice were in attendance to cheer on the competitors.

The Grilla Thrilla is set to become a monthly event for the new business but bosses are remaining tight-lipped about the next challenge.

Mrs Chubb said: “I have something in mind but I’m keeping it a surprise until then.

“But I’m sure it’ll be just as good as this one.”