IT is not often that blokes sitting in trees win prizes with the council, but nobody was protesting in Worden Park on Saturday when £2,000 worth of prizes were handed out to the fastest tree climbers in Leyland.

The annual contest, which took place next to the miniature train on the park, is held for people who work within the tree care industry and is chance for them to show-off their abilities.

Tree topper, Ken Linfords, from Ulnes Walton, Leyland, won first prize and scooped a £500 travel bursary to Denmark to check out the country's attitude to tree care.

In second place was Steven Canhan, from Chester, who won a full climbing kit while Preston climber Drew Bristo won third prize and went away with a pair of boots.

And the contest's tree climbing spirit did not stop there -- all 15 entrants won a selection of prizes with the last to reach his top of the tree winning £50 worth of vouchers.

Paul Durkan, assistant arboricultural officer at South Ribble parks department, said: "It was a very exciting day -- the weather was perfect for climbing because it was dry and not too hot.

"There was some heavy competition going on between the first and second place winners and they traded the positions they won last year."

All prizes were provided by tree care companies around the country.