A TENBURY sportsman gearing up to represent the country at an international competition has spoken of how he is following in his father's footsteps.

Robert Chatley, 39, is set to head to the Stihl Timbersports World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany as part of Team GB next month.

Mr Chatley is a well-known figure in the world of timbersports, which consists of several competitive wood-chopping disciplines where participants use saws, chainsaws and axes.

Mr Chatley moved to Clifton upon Teme in 2011 to be with his wife, although they are now living in Hanley Broadheath, near Tenbury. He is, however, originally from the New Forest, which is where he found his love for timbersports.

Mr Chatley’s dad was part of a wood-chopping team meaning he grew up around the sport, which has been popular in the UK since the 1960s. At the age of 13, he followed in his father’s footsteps and got himself involved, quickly becoming a competent axeman.

He said: “It’s a very sociable hobby, a lot of the guys are of a similar mindset.

“Swinging axes and six-foot chainsaws is what floats my boat.”

He has since had a long career in timbersports and is no stranger to international competitions, his first being in Switzerland in 2005.

Mr Chatley and the rest of team GB will be heading to Hay-on-Wye on the weekend of October 28 for a final training camp before travelling to the Porsche Arena in Germany to compete in the championships.

“We’ve been having good runs and good times.” Said Mr Chatley.

“There’s always a little bit of nerves when you get there, but not at the moment.

“We’re all pretty calm and looking forward to it.

“We’re a good, strong team this year. We’re looking to be in the top three European teams.”

The five other members of Team GB consist of captain Glen Penlington of Powys, Tom Redmond, Graham Turner, Jack Morris and George Spencer from nearby Hereford.

The tournament will kick off on Friday, November 3, with national teams going up against each other in a knockout system, with four athletes from each nation exercising the disciplines of Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck and Standing Block Chop in a relay format.