Lister Shearing has been confirmed as the official equipment and clothing sponsor of the Golden Shears Sheep Shearing World Championships, which are to take place during the 2023 Royal Highland Show.

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland announced the sponsorship during live streaming of shearing competitions at this year's Royal Highland Showcase, which attracted 270,000 viewers from across 87 countries throughout the week.

The Golden Shears competition had been due to take place at the 2022 Royal Highland Show, but due to the knock-on impact of Covid-19 and to maintain the integrity of the competition, it was decided that the event would be postponed until 2023.

Now plans are well underway for the event in two years’ time, in which competitors from over 30 countries will compete.

Commenting on the announcement, RHASS chairman Bill Gray said: “We are thrilled and delighted that Lister Shearing is coming onboard as one of our sponsors for this prestigious competition. We very much look forward to working with them in the run up to the event.”

Head of Sales and Commercial at Lister, Martin Booth, said: “Lister are incredibly proud to be the official equipment and clothing sponsor of Golden Shears, an event which we have proudly been sponsoring for over 50 years.

“Our continued support for the event and the Royal Highland Show is testament to our values of putting the industry at the heart of what we do. Supporting the agriculture industry is a key strategic goal for Lister and being part of this event is a major part of the plan for the coming years."