SHEAR determination saw Kingsbridge Young Farmers Club complete a gruelling fundraising challenge last weekend, in memory of local dairy farmer Phil Darke.

The group completed a 24 hour 'shearathon' at Coleridge Farm, Chillington.

Shearing non-stop, members managed to separate more than 900 sheep from their fleeces.

Kingsbridge Young Farmers secretary Gilly Luscombe said: 'It was a fantastic weekend with the entire club pulling together to make the event a true success.

'We all had a massive amount of fun while doing it. Each and every person who was involved in one way or another ought to be really proud and pleased.

'We would love to thank all our sponsors for the event, everyone who came to support us throughout the 24 hours, parents, YFC advisory and local farmers for their help.'

Gilly added that Matt Darke, a cousin of Phil, played a leading role both in organising the Shearathon, and in shearing the sheep.

Phil Darke was chairman of Kingsbridge Young Farmers in 1988 / 1989, and organised and participated in a Shearathon at Higher Coombe Farm, East Allington. He died suddenly in July 2013, aged 47.

Sponsors of this year's Shearathon included: Lidstones Butchers, Mole Valley Farmers, Patch and Acre, Aune Valley Meat, Rose Farm, Horner Shearing, Roger Cole Shearing, John Haddy and South Hams Brewery.

Kingsbridge Young Farmers plan to present a cheque to The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust later in the summer, once all the sponsorship money has been collected.