A POPULAR speed sheep shearing event has raised a superb sum for the vital work carried out by two charities.

Throwleigh Common hosted the Dartmoor Charity Speed Shear on August's bank holiday Monday, attracting more than 30 sheep shearers from across the region to compete. The event was held to raise money for both the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Both charities received a cheque for £3,150 last week at The Old Thatch in Cheriton Bishop.

The event was organised by shearer Steve Alford of South Zeal.

'We are lucky to have such talented shearers in the west country,' said Steve.

'What was really impressive was the number who chose to turn up and compete in the name of these two charities.

'Working in remote locations makes us all very aware of how vital a service Devon Air Ambulance provides.

'None of us ever knows when our families might need specialised help, at centres such as Great Ormond Street Hospital, due to a life threatening illness.'

Each farmer sheared one lamb in the first heat, two in the second, and three in the final. Matt Smith, a New Zealander who now lives near Bodmin, was overall champion, shearing his final three lambs in just 98 seconds, managing to shave one cleanly in a speedy 22 seconds. Runner up Neil Wollacott of Honiton cleared three lambs in 104 seconds.

The intermediates contest was dominated by Ian Smeardon from Postbridge.

Ross Thomson from East Devon came second in the hotly contested section.

Prizes were presented by Charlotte Jordan, aged ten, and Jack Jordan, aged seven, from Moortown, Gidleigh.

Jack has travelled in an air ambulance twice, once during a fibrial convulsion, and also when he was kicked in the face by a frightened pony.

Charlotte spent two weeks at Great Ormond Street in an induced coma on a ventilator due to total lung failure.

Jenny Pearce from Great Ormond Street Hospital said: 'We are very grateful to Dartmoor Charity Speed Shear's fundraising event.

'This fantastic donation will help us to make a real difference to both the children we treat and their families.

'Money raised goes towards rebuilding and refurbishing the hospital, providing vital up-to-date equipment and funding research into better treatments for children from across the country.'