A GROUP of would-be tree surgeons have returned triumphant after competing in a national pole climbing competition in Wales.

The students, studying courses in arboriculture and who attend East Durham College’s Houghall Campus, in Durham City, travelled with college staff to Caerwys, in North Wales, to take part in the AUS Pole Climbing championship at Woodfest.

The annual three-day event showcases the World of Wood in a number of interactive activities.

It is famous for competitive axe racing, sawing and tree-climbing events in one of the largest timber sports arenas in the UK, attracting the world's top lumberjack athletes.

The climbing event saw the students aim to climb to the top of an 80ft pole in the quickest time possible.

Student Luke Towler, 16, of Sedgefield, who was only competing in the novice category event at the Highland Show the week before, came first in the expert category in Wales - with a time of 11.634 seconds.

He was closely followed in second place by another East Durham College student, Ben Lightfoot with a time of 11.677 seconds, with a former Houghall student, Josh Dixon, rounding off the top three places with a time of 11.873 seconds.

Arboriculture lecturer Peter Boulton praised the performances of all the students and was proud to come home with the top placings.

He said: “We had some great performance in the contests across the weekend and it was a really proud moment to see two of our students and an ex-student come away with the top three places in the expert category in the pole climbing."

For more information on courses in Arboriculture at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus visit www.eastdurham.ac.uk or contact the student services team on 0191-375 4710.