CHAINSAW experts will be competing in the European championships at the Ragley Estate later this month.

Some 25 competitors are expected to turnout and 75 chainsaws and 38 tonnes of timber are expected to be used in the European Chainsaw Carving Championships, which will be taking place as part of APF 2016 -the UK’s largest forestry, woodland, trees and timber show.

The carvers have three days to turn one huge 1.5 tonne redwood log six foot high and three foot in diameter into a sculpture using just chainsaws and hand tools.

The biannual event attracts the best carvers from all over the UK and Europe, with eight countries being represented and carvers from as far as Norway, Lithuania and the Czech Republic taking part. Two times European champion, Will Lee, will seek to defend his title.

The judging, led by the Marquess of Hertford Lieutenant Colonel Lord Henry Seymour, will take place at 1pm on September 17, with the winner being announced at 2pm.

Immediately following the presentations all the sculptures will be auctioned to the public.

In addition to the main competition, there are two daily speed carves where six carvers compete head-to-head to produce a carving in 30 minutes.

The event is taking place on September 15 to 17.

To buy tickets visit apfexhibition.co.uk/order_tickets.php.