A BORDERS sheep shearer has been celebrated at a British Wool conference.

Una Cameron, of St Boswells, was one of three shearers recognised for breaking records this year.

The Borderer smashed a world record, beating the previous women's solo strong wool ewe record by 59, as she sheared 519 sheep in nine hours.

Staffordshire-based Nick Greaves and Welsh shearer Meirion Evans were also honoured at the event.

Mr Greaves broke the world lamb shearing record, which has been held exclusively in New Zealand for the past 50 years, when he sheared 764 lambs in eight hours.

Mr Evans was successful in his British record-breaking attempt setting the nine-hour British Ewe record by shearing 791 sheep.

All three were presented with a Harris Tweed Hebrides cap made from 100 per cent British wool and a voucher for the British Wool Shop.

Andrew Hogley, British Wool’s CEO, congratulated those who had broken shearing records and highlighted the positive direction the wool price has taken in recent times.

He said: "Recent British Wool auctions have achieved the highest prices for more than five years and we’ve seen strong demand.

"With prices up by more than 25 per cent since the start of the season this bodes well for improved member returns.

"Prices need to recover further to give farmers the returns they need for their wool, but we are currently in a much better position than we have been for some time."

He also highlighted some of the marketing initiatives during the last year including a recent Shaun the Sheep carpet promotion.

This collaboration embraces the work of British Wool and the Campaign for Wool and is seen as a key platform to aid the promotion of wool carpets to consumers.

More than 1,000 retailers across the UK have Shaun the Sheep point-of-sale materials which are designed to educate consumers about the 'natural benefits' of wool.

Delegates were also told about collaborations with Patrick Grant and Joe Lycett which have helped to increase consumer awareness of British Wool and British wool-rich products.

Mr Hogley said: "The team at British Wool remain committed to driving consumer demand through campaigns and work with brand partners, manufacturers and processors.

"We are determined to continue building on this success for the benefit of all sheep farmers."