THE competitive spirit is still alive in 61-year-old Tavistock farmer George Mudge who is about to take on the 'young chaps' in his seventh world championship sheep shearing competition in Norway in two weeks' time.
George and his son Andrew, 28, will be competing in the blade shearing class and are part of a six-strong team which also includes his daughter-in-law Kelly, who is one of the team's wool handlers.
The three were selected to shear for England after coming out on top in their categories at various events throughout the country.
It will be Andrew and Kelly's first world championship.
George has been shearing since the age of eight and has travelled all over the world competing and keeping the art of blade shearing alive — almost all commercial shearing now is done using machines except in parts of New Zealand and South Africa.
His best result in the world championships was in Scotland in 2003 where he came seventh in his class.
'We are up against professional blade shearers who shear 1,500 sheep a year,' said George.
'We shear a few hundred so nobody is expecting us to win.
'I am doing it because it is a great honour to represent my country at something I am good at. We will do our best and if it goes really well we might make the semi finals.'
There will be 23 in the blade shearing class and 29 countries are taking part in the championships.
George has been told the weather is warmer in Norway at the moment than it is in Britain with the average temperature 22 degrees.
'I am looking forward to it,' said George, who aims to keep competing after his Norway challenge.
'I think I will have another go next year. When the young chaps are beating me regularly then it will be time to give up.
'I shall not roll over — they will have to beat me first.'