A RECORD number of hedge layers took part in the Friends of the Lake District's 28th annual hedge laying competition on Saturday (February 10).

The event, which was held just south of Beetham alongside the A6, attracted 32 competitors aged between 12 and 70 from all over the country, competing in four classes: open, improver, novice and junior/young farmer.

And when the chain saws, axes and billhooks were finally laid to rest at the end of the day, spectators and judges were impressed by the 260 metres of newly laid hedge.

The top open class winner was Peter Gibson from Kendal who also claimed the Best Hedge on the Day prize. This follows his success winning the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying style at the National Championships back in November 2006.

The event is part of a regional grand prix of five competitions also run in Lancashire. Two competitions are left to run on March 10 in the Forest of Bowland and at Ellel on March 31.

For full story and list of winners, see the February 16 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.