A TREE climber from the New Forest is attempting to scoop a prestigious title when she takes part in an international competition.

Josephine Hedger, from Sway, already holds the title of 2017 Women's European Tree Climbing Champion, and is three-time International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) Women's Champion.

She will be one of more than 70 male and female arborists and tree climbers from 20 countries competing for the title of world champion at the ITCC in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.

The 42nd annual ITCC is organized by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and showcases these industrial athletes to educate the public about professional tree work, and the training and expertise it requires to be done safely.

ISA executive director Caitlyn Pollihan said: "Demonstrating to the public the type of work done by professionals in our industry is an important aspect of this event. It is essential for homeowners to understand the significance of safe and proper tree care.”

ITCC competitors are some of the best in the industry who earn the opportunity to compete by winning local and regional competitions held by ISA chapters and associate organizations around the world.

Competitors who score the highest in the preliminary events, which simulate work-related tasks when pruning and caring for trees, will go on to compete in the Masters’ Challenge championship round for the title of world champion.