Ananova:

The British are sick of being labelled as eccentric, according to new research into the nation's worst events.

Holiday auction site lateescapes.com says tourist chiefs' decision to market Britain as home of quaint and ridiculous traditions makes Britons feel embarrassed and ashamed and they are taking foreign holidays in record numbers to get away.

The World Bog Snorkelling Championships held this Bank Holiday Weekend in Powys, Wales tops their top ten of worst events. The World Worm-Charming Championships held in Cheshire comes second while the Cooper's Hill Cheese Roll, an annual event in Gloucestershire when competitors hurtle down a steep hill in pursuit of a cheese, is third.

A spokesman said: "With British culture degenerating to game show level it is hardly surprising that Britons feel humiliated. The people of the nation are tired of being labelled as 'loonies'."

The other events to make the top ten are:

World Gurning Championships, Cumbria

World Fly fishing championships, Bristol

World Conker Championship, Northamptonshire

Up-Helly-Aa, Shetland Islands

World Morris Dancing Championships

Giant Model Air Show, Yorkshire England

3-Day Storytelling Festival, Worcester