Fifteen contestants battled to keep their cool in an ice cream eating contest.

Sarah Joughin, who was entered by her colleagues from St John Ambulance, scooped the prize by polishing off a 1.2 litre tub of Davison’s ice cream in just over nine minutes.

Runner-up was Isle of Man Newspapers editor Richard Butt, in under 12 minutes.

The competition was held on Sunday as part of the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, in the Villa Marina gardens.

A Davison’s spokesman said: ’A big thank you to all 15 contestants that took part in our first-ever ice cream eating contest.

’It turned out to be a great success and a big well done to Sarah from St John Ambulance.’

Armed with a spoon and a supply of water, contestants each tackled a tub of ice cream, topped with vanilla and chocolate whippys, and of course, a flake.

The Manx Cookery Theatre was packed with friends and family, who cheered on the competitors as they worked their way through 10 flavours of ice cream within the 15-minute time limit.

Compere for the CompEAT contest was Dot Tilbury.

Sarah won a year’s supply of ice cream and a £100 donation for a charity of her choice, St John Ambulance.

Order copies of these pictures and more taken by our photographers online at iomtoday.co.im/buyaphoto or call 695623.

â?¢ Meanwhile, for coverage from the hot dog eating contest, also held at the Food and Drink Festival, see page 32.