BRITAIN'S nine hour sheep shearing record has changed hands again, barely a week after the longstanding 872 lamb record set by Stuart Connor was toppled by Nick Greaves on 881.

Last Friday, Welsh shearer Lloyd Rees smashed both of those benchmarks by shearing 902 lambs in the given time.

At Blaenbwch Farm, Maesmynys, Builth Wells, Powys, Mr Rees began shearing at 5am for two hours, followed by four one hour 45 minute runs, with the challenge ending at 5pm.

He sheared 203 in that first two-hour run, then tallied 174, 171, and 177 in the next three runs, before bagging the record with 177 sheep sheared in the final run.

Throughout, he was surrounded by the support of family and friends, as well as sheep farmers and shearers from all over the UK.

Speaking afterwards he said: “I am delighted, holding a British Shearing Record has always been a long time ambition and to shear over 900 in a day made the occasion even more special. All the hard work and preparation over the last 12 months has paid off.

“Preparing for the record involved a very strict fitness and diet regime, it was tough at times but achieving what I’ve achieved, with the support of family, friends and the shearing community across Wales has made it all worthwhile.”

At the end of his successful record bid, Lloyd thanked everyone that had supported him: “Today would not have been possible without the support of a huge team of helpers, a record such as this takes a lot of organizing so thank you for all your support, each and every one of you have made an important contribution in helping me achieve this record here today.

"I’d like to dedicate this record to my mum and dad who have always encouraged and supported me.”

He added: “We also wish to thank all our sponsors for their kind support – Lister have been involved from day one in supporting me on my journey and also British Wool. I started my shearing journey learning on British Wool courses and without those courses, I’d not be here.”

Read more: Nick Greaves and Llyr Jones set new shearing record – 1717 lambs in just nine hours

Gareth Jones, head of member communications at British Wool, commented: “On behalf of British Wool, I would like to congratulate Lloyd on what was a tremendous achievement.

“This challenge has taken a lot of preparation and this success will help raise the profile and importance of shearing as a skill, we congratulate Lloyd on his success.”

Martin Booth, head of sales and commercial at Lister, added: “What an achievement. Lloyd remained cool, calm, and collected throughout with his goal driving him on. Lister is incredibly proud to have not only supported the event but also for the long-standing support we have given Lloyd.

“Over the years, we have seen his confidence and skills grow. These tallies ensure that Lloyd has left his mark on the industry. Not only this, but his incredible attitude has also inspired a future generation to pick up shears and give it a go."

Fundraising for two charities – the Welsh Air Ambulance and Parkinsons UK – took place on the day with an auction of items and a raffle.