Young shearing duo in first world record bid on home turf

A plucky pair of young shearers are gearing up to smash the eight-hour sheep-shearing world record – the first attempt of its kind by two Brits on UK soil.

Jonny Roberts and Martin Howlett will need to shear more than 1,068 ewes to break the current record.

The duo are under the expert guidance of world-renowned professional shearer and world record holder, Matt Smith. Matt broke the nine-hour ewe-shearing world record in 2016.

See also: Video: Step-by-step guide to best sheep-shearing technique

Jonny and Martin kickstart their bold bid for glory at 7am on 24 August at Bigley Farm, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, and are fundraising for the cancer and cardiac care charity Stars Appeal, based at Salisbury District Hospital.

“We have a monumental challenge ahead of us. Both Jonny and I are training very hard,” said Martin. “We are giving this record attempt everything we have – it’s our sole focus, nothing less than 110% will do, we will do our very best to not let you down.

“There is a huge effort being made in order to raise the necessary funds to ensure that this record is broken on the day. Put 24 August in your diary – I’m sure with your help and support we are more than capable of breaking this world record.”

For more information on the record attempt and how to support it, visit Jonny and Martin’s Facebook page.