A tree climber has proved he has a head for heights after winning a European championship.

Alistair Magee has scaled some of the world's highest branches and is celebrating winning his latest titles.

The tree surgeon, from Hartlepool, finished in first place in a skills contest, in Valencia, Spain, and is now ranked first in the country.

The 24-year-old said: "It might sound like fun, but it is really hard and very technical.

"It requires a lot of skill and concentration, but I'm over the moon.

"It's not about getting to the top of the tree the quickest.

"The judges mark you on your precision and how safe you carry yourself around the branches.

"My ideal goal now is to become world champion."

The competition in Spain, which was held at the end of February, consisted of five opening events on the first day.

The competitors with the most points, including Mr Magee, went through to day two and faced ten judges in the masters final.

"The trees we are tested in are, on average, 40 metres high with a 40-metre spread so they are not the easiest to manoeuvre around. But that's part of the test," he said.

"I had to show how competent I was on the thinner branches, carry out tests while I was up there and show I can do my job safely."

Mr Magee won his first national competition in Sweden in 2003 and went on to represent the country in the world championships.

The next European championships is in Brussels later this year and Hawaii will host the world competition.

Mr Magee said he got into the business by accident, after his first choice career as a park ranger fell through because a training course was cancelled.

"The tree course went ahead instead and I have never looked back," he said. "I've always loved working outdoors and did want to be a park warden. But my tree surgeon business has taken me all over the world."