A Cumbrian charity is appealing for people from across the county to attend its annual hedge-laying competition next month.

Professional and amateur hedge layers from across the country will be testing their skills as they come together at Friends of the Lake District’s annual hedge-laying competition.

The competition runs from 9am to 3pm, on Saturday February 3, taking place on Low Sizergh Farm land, beside the Nannypie Lane layby, near the Strickland Arms Pub, Kendal. 

The competition makes an interesting spectator sport and everyone is very welcome to attend and watch this ancient skill in action, creating beautiful living structures which absorb carbon from the air, water from the ground, and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Speaking to the News & Star, Friends of the Lake District organiser Kay Andrews said: "This event brings together some of the most skilled and experienced hedge-layers with novices who are looking to learn and improve their technique. This year it’s an all-style competition, not just the Westmorland and Lancashire style so it will make for great spectating to see the different techniques.

"The competition is a great event to not only showcase this incredible heritage skill but to encourage others to learn and carry on this vital work, while raising the profile of the importance of hedgerows."

Hedge-laying involves creating a a continuous living fence that is building and building every time you lay it. 

Winners will be decided in various categories on the day, before judges return later in the year once the hedges have regrown. 

This year, competitors will range from 13 years old to someone in their 80s. 

Friends of the Lake District are keen to encourage this environmentally-friendly sport, which is a 'win for everybody', as hedges protects farmer's fields, help to prevent flooding, provide habitat for wildlife, while they also add visual value. 

Kay added: "It's such an old skill, but with the pressure on nature-friendly farming and different schemes that are coming into place, there's much more incentive to go back to those traditional management practices. That's why we put on these competitions and hedge-laying training."