A DEE Valley man is now a world champion.

A triumphant Welsh team claimed two individual world champion titles at the 2019 Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, held in Le Dorat, France.

Machine shearer Richard Jones, of Corwen, beat two former champions to become the first Welshman to claim the title of individual machine shearing world champion.

Richard competed in three rounds to achieve the global honour.

Adding to his brilliant competition, Richard also won the all nations open shearing competition and he narrowly missed out in the world team championship.

He finished second overall with team mate Alun Lloyd Jones, who was also placed seventh in the individual competition.

Meanwhile, Aled Jones, of Builth Wells, took the second world title for Wales, becoming the individual woolhandling world champion.

He was also third in the all nations open woolhandling competition. Team mate Gwenan Paewai achieved 12th place in the individual competition, and together they came fourth in the world team competition.

Also flying the flag for the Welsh team were Elfed Jackson and FUW Denbighshire chairman Rheinallt Hughes.

They competed in the blade shearing competitions, with Elfed taking seventh place in the individual event.

Ably lead by team manager Rhydwyn Price, the successful Welsh team battled against the sweltering heat as well as competitors from across the northern and southern hemispheres.

“We could not be prouder of our two world champions, Richard and Aled, as well as the rest of the Welsh team," he said.

"They all competed fearlessly in difficult conditions, and have made not only themselves, but the whole of Wales. very happy.

“The Golden Shears World Championships is a showcase for both quality and excellence in the skilful art of shearing and woolhandling and both Richard and Aled proved that their attention to detail, quality and speed was what clinched the deal, and ultimately the world champion titles for both of them.”

Riding high on their recent success, the seven-strong team is looking forward to attending and competing in the 100th Royal Welsh Show later this month.

Steve Hughson, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, was delighted at the team’s achievements.

He said: “Huge congratulations to the whole team.

"They have made us all extremely proud and we are delighted that they are bringing two world champion titles home to Wales.

"We are all very much looking forward to cheering on the Welsh team and all the other competitors in the Meirion Shearing Centre, here at the Royal Welsh Show.”

The Welsh team is indebted to its sponsors for all their continued loyalty and support.

These include BISCA, British Wool, Caleb Roberts Insurance Services Ltd, J & S Pughe Sheep Shearing Trailers, KiwiKit Ltd, Lister, Mid Wales Egg Packing Ltd and Randall Parker Foods.