A FATHER and son sheep shearing team has jetted off to New Zealand this week to represent England in the World Sheep Shearing Championships.

Andrew Mudge, 36, and his father George Mudge, 69, who live on a farm at Collaton, just outside Tavistock, are two of the six competitors that make up the England team.

This is not the first time that either of them have taken part in the world championships, having represented their country on numerous occasions.

Each country can send two machine shearers, two blade shearers and two wool handlers.

Andrew said: ‘I have been shearing with blades for around 15 years, having taken it up with encouragement from my father.

‘The top two competitors from each country are chosen to represent their country at the world championships, which are held every three years. The 2017 championships are being held in Invercargill in the south island of New Zealand between February 8 and 11. We have the current wool handling champion Hilary Bond from Lustleigh in the England team this year.

‘This will be my third world championships, having previously competed in 2008 in Norway and 2010 in Wales. This time I am taking my family with me now they are at the age where they will be able to remember the trip. We will be travelling around the country taking in the scenery before and after the competition.’

Andrew said the competition involves two rounds of shearing three sheep each. The top 12 then qualify for a semi-final before the top six battle it out for the world title over six sheep.

Andrew’s father George said: ‘I have been honoured and privileged to have represented England 10 times in World Golden Shears to date. This time is very special as my son Andrew and I will be the blade team.

‘Approximately 30 countries will be represented when the championships are held in a few weeks time. To qualify for the national team you need to be placed first or second in a series of competitions held at shows around the country. World championships are held every two or three years, alternating between northern and southern hemisphere.

‘I am now 69 and have competed with both machines and blades in world finals. My proudest moment in shearing competitions was in 2008 when Andrew and I were placed fourth in the world team final when the world championships were held in Norway.

‘I first represented England when the championships were held in Masterton, New Zealand in March 1980. It will be great to meet old friends and make new ones on this trip down under.’

Photo of George and Andrew Mudge taken by James Bird.