A THREE-time world champion tree climber from the New Forest is set to compete in her ninth International Tree Climbing Championship later this month.

Josephine Hedger, from Sway, will travel to Washington D.C. to compete with more than 60 of the world's best male and female professional tree climbers.

The championships take place at the US National Arboretum between July 28 and July 30, with 18 countries represented at the event.

Climbers first compete in five preliminary events across Friday and Saturday, before the competition wraps up on Sunday with the Masters' Challenge championship round, where competitors with the highest scores from preliminaries battle it out for the prized title of World Champion.

Josephine, who founded Dorset and Hampshire tree care service, Arbor Venture Tree Care, has claimed the International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) crown on three occasions - 2008 in St Louis, 2010 in Chicago and 2014 in Milwaukee - as well as winning the European Championship as many times - 2014 in Swierklaniec, 2016 in Prague and 2017 in Deventer.

To qualify for the event in Washington, participants had to win local and regional competitions held by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) chapters and associate organisations.

The ITCC is also organised by the ISA, with sponsorship from Davey Tree Expert Company.

Sandra Reid, vice president of corporate communications and strategic planning for Davey Tree, said: "With safety as one of our core values, Davey is proud to be the presenting sponsor of ITCC.

"The competing climbers demonstrate not only magnificent skill and technique, but also extreme attention to safety and its importance in arboriculture.

"ISA has cultivated an environment of both competition and education around the ITCC, and we are proud to be associated with this event."

Away from tree climbing events, the ISA primarily provides training and education on safe work practices for tree care providers.

The championships in the US are open to the public and free to attend.