A back-breaking 397 lambs were shorn in nine hours, roughly 1.4 sheep every minute by two Welsh shearers Gareth Owen and Clive Hamer. This set the first ever British Blade Shearing Record.

A new British record was set for blade-shearing sheep on Saturday September 30 at Fernhill Farm on the Mendip Hills.

Gareth and Clive began their record attempt at 5am on Saturday September 30 shearing Romney and Shetland lambs as part of the Autumn Blade Shearing Tournament held at Fernhill Farm on the Mendip Hills.

Blade shearing is a traditional method done without mechanical tools, only sharp blades pressed by hand movements that help to keep fleece in better condition when it is cut smoothly, leaving more wool covering and lanolin.

The Open Finalist shearers Gareth Owen, George and Andrew Mudge, Clive Hamer and Andrew Wear all come from national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the UK where these traditional methods are championed.

Andy Wear, a blade shearer and owner of Fernhill Farm said: "Blade Shearing is an incredible skill to master and to supply Mendip Sheep that were deemed ideal for a record attempt is a great shepherding achievement. Gareth and Clive have set an amazing record and this can only help to raise the profile of blade shearing. All are welcome to the Spring Blade Tournament on the 24th March 2018.'