Cambridgeshire World Peashooting Championships held 13 July 2013 Last updated at 05:39 Peashooters from across the globe will be holding their collective breaths as they bid for world domination in Cambridgeshire later. The annual World Peashooting Championships have been taking place in Witcham, near Ely, since 1971. The tradition was started by local teacher John Tyson after he confiscated numerous blowpipes from his pupils. Competitors come from as far away as the USA and New Zealand and the winner's name is inscribed on a trophy. Four-time champion Ian Ashmeade, from Haddenham in Cambridgeshire, said he had been training hard to regain the title of peashooter "supreme" which he lost to Rob Bresler, from Ely, last year. Laser-sighted rifle "It's a very serious and skilful sport, and a hard-fought battle," Mr Ashmeade said. As many as 200 competitors are expected to enter the competition, which takes place as part of the village fair. However, only the 16 highest scorers make it through to the knock-out round, and the chance to have their name on the John Tyson shield. Stringent rules are followed by competitors including using only maple or pigeon peas provided on the day. Only standard-length blowpipes are allowed, but over the years many people have shifted away from the traditional plastic tube, opting to mould their own from carbon fibre. "I use a special 'monopod' to help with my balance," Mr Ashmeade said. It's actually just a stick from the orchard, and sadly this year it seems to have a bit of woodworm. I have got a pea-green laser, though, so I hope that will up my chances of victory. Mr Ashmeade said an American from a nearby airbase turned up one year with a blowpipe strapped to the butt of a laser-sighted rifle. He wasn't very good, though. He was beaten by a 14-year-old boy with a plastic pipe. "He didn't come back again," he said. Proceeds from the event go towards the upkeep of the village hall, which Mr Ashmeade said is referred to locally as the "Cathedral of the Pea."