A UNIQUE contest took place in the Ragley estate between the World 25m pole climbing champion and a top English sprinter.

On the final day of the Husqvarna World Pole Climbing Championships, Grant Gallier climbed an 80 foot Douglas Fir climbing pole whilst Harry Aikines-Aryeetey sprinted on an Olympic standard running track.

Pole climber Grant came first with a time of 9.90 seconds against sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey who finished the race in 10.15 seconds.

The ‘Track vs Tree’ contest took place on Saturday, September 20 as part of APF 2014, the UK’s largest forestry, woodland, trees and timber show.

Aryeetey, who was awarded BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005, has a personal best 100m time of 10.08 seconds and Grants world record stands at 9.07 seconds.

During this year’s Commonwealth Games, Aryeetey won silver in the 4 x 100m and at the European championships in Zurich he received bronze in the individual 100m and gold in the 4 x 100m relay.

One Show presenter and sprinter Iwan Thomas MBE commentated at the event before trying his hand at climbing the pole.