Four young shearers have gathered near Builth Wells in an attempt to set a British record in lamb shearing to raise money for good causes.

Lloyd Rees, George Gilbert, Hugh Prothero and Aled Jones are all taking part in the nine hour, four stand British lamb shearing record attempt at Blaenbwch Farm, Maesmynis which belongs to the family of Rob Powell.

The four farmers, who are all members of Brecknock Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, sheared 2,146 in total during runs one, two, three and four.

The Brecknock YFC county chairman John Price, who organised the event, said the aim is to raise funds for several charities as well as the YFC.

He said: “It was something I’ve always thought about doing in the YFC for a while.

“With funding cuts, we thought it would be a good idea to raise a bit of money for charities as well as Brecknock YFC.

“It also means the boys can demonstrate their skills and the shearing skills they’ve learns through YFC.

“We’ve also been lucky with all the sponsors and we’re thankful to them. We’re also thankful to the farmers who’ve helped us with the lambs, the the support of the staff and the people out the back who are helping to prepare the sheep for shearing.

“There are 2,890 who are being sheared here today. There’s a mix of a New Zealand breed called Romneys and Brecknock Hill Cheviots.”

Spectators could enjoy the bar which had been set up in the shed as well as the Welsh Venison Centre’s burger van outside and the raffle.

The event is in support of the MS Society, Prostate Cancer UK, the Wales Air Ambulance and the DPJ Foundation while having a variety of sponsors – the main sponsor being Hay & Brecon Farmers.

Dad Will Rees said he is very proud of his son Lloyd being in the competition and his accomplishments as a shearer so far.

He said: “I am very proud. I have been nervous for him.

“It’s going very well so far. There are different types of lambs, but we knew that was happening so that’s fine.

“The event is very good, it’s brilliant and I think it’s been quite successful.”

Sebastian Goodeson, who is spectating the shearer but also of sponsors Listers said he was “happy” to be there.

Sebastian, who has traveled from Dursley with his 16-year-old daughter Beth, said: “After having been to the world championships with Lister equipment, we wanted to give something back.

“Everyone here is so friendly and we’ve got to have a look behind the scenes as well. It’s seeing all the generations as well, the really young ones and the elderly.”

At the end of run four, at 3.45pm with one round to go, the four farmers had sheared a total of 2,146 lambs between them.

In the lead so far is Lloyd Rees, of Tynewydd Farm in Llandefalle and who attends Llandefalle YFC, who has so far sheared a total of 590 lambs.

The 25-year-old, who currently farms 470 breeding ewes and 80 hoggets at home with his parents, has travelled to New Zealand every winter for the last six years and he now easily shears over 300 sheep a day.

Next is George Gilbert, of Harewood Farm in Hay-on-Wye and who also attends Llandefalle YFC, who has so far sheared 526 lambs in the record attempt.

The 26-year-old shears locally as well as in Somerset, and some weeks in Llangamarch Wells. He also completed multiple trips to New Zealand such as in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018.

George works on his family run farm which has 1,100 ewes, 100 cattle and 200 acres of arable. He is also the Welsh International Speed Shear Senior winner of 2017.

Currently third in the running is Aled Jones, of Llanafan Fawr and attends Troerhiwdalar YFC, who has sheared 519 lambs so far.

The 26-year-old, who turns 27 next month, runs an upland farm of 400 acres, farming both beef and sheep with his parents – they have 800 mainly Lleyn cross cheviot ewes and a herd of South Devon beef cattle.

Aled, who has travelled to New Zealand three times to shear for Mackintosh Shearing, won the junior shearing development test in Ireland as part of the Shearing World Championships in 2014.

At the end of the fourth run, Hugh Prothero of Llwyncynydd in Llanfigan who is a member of Libanus YFC, has sheared 511 lambs.

The event, which is from 6am until 6pm today, has around an hour and a half left with one round to go to complete the record attempt.

You can follow the live stream on Facebook here.