Into the ring leapt prunes, raisins and black cherries, enthusiastically sipping armagnac in preparation for a face-off against the big ginger cake. Bouncing between ropes made of liquorice shoelaces, and emboldened by strong breakfast tea, they were ready to take on the world. After a splash of water, they dusted themselves with cocoa powder and fuelled up with butterscotch and cinder toffee. From the crowd came wondrous aromas of rich sherry, mingling with cured Spanish ham and tobacco.

Finally, the bell, which was made from a hollowed-out honeydew melon, rang to signal the start of round one. The prunes stepped forward, ready to meet the ginger cake, and its teammates – juicy fruit chewing gum and tutti frutti ice cream. Tagtastic.