A FAIRFORD man will be shouting from the tree tops if he is successful in a climbing competition in Copenhagen this weekend.

Rupert Wilkinson has recently been chosen to represent the UK and Ireland in the European tree climbing competition which takes place tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.

Far from being the stuff of childhood games, tree climbing is in fact a serious and very competitive sport.

Tree climbing competitions were developed to showcase the skills of tree surgeons and the worldwide events are organised by the International Arboricultural Society.

Rupert said: "For me to get into the UK and Ireland team is the achievement for me and anything else is a bonus."

He went on to explain tree climbing was one of the safest extreme sports around.

"One of the purposes is to promote safer work practices," he said. "So it's all very safe with ropes and harnesses so there are no injuries."

Although Rupert is one of the older tree climbers he is still hoping for success.

He said: "At 35 I'm over ten years older than the other team members and I'm pushing it a bit but I figure I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Rupert has been a tree surgeon for twelve years and runs his own business, Fairford Tree Services.

He has been competing in climbing competitions for four years after a friend took him along to one of the championship events.