ICE baths, a strict diet and regular weightlifting all form part of preparations for a Borders sheep shearer as she bids to break a world record.

Una Cameron, of St Boswells, will attempt next month’s monumental challenge in Cornwall.

The Borderer will need to shear more than 458 ewes in nine hours to break the women’s record on August 7.

The target was set back in February by Sacha Bond in New Zealand. She bettered fellow Kiwi shearer Kerri-Jo Te Huia’s record (452) of six years standing.

Una, who has been working with world record holder Matt Smith in Cornwall, said: “I have always wanted to attempt a world record and after over a year of preparation, I’m only a matter of weeks away. 

“It was good spending time down south working mainly on Poll Dorsets, but the weather has made it very challenging for both me and the sheep this year with the constant rain and it’s been so cold.

“To beat the record by one, I will have to average a minute and nine seconds a sheep all day.”

Preparation for any shearing record is key, with Una lifting weights three days a week, doing mobility work on three days and cardio on a Sunday. 

“I’ve just started using an ice bath. The first time I lasted a minute and was watching every second tick by. I’ve now coped with two minutes. It apparently aids recovery, but I’m not convinced!

“The diet has fancy recipes, which I don’t have enough time to make, but basically if it swam, walked or grew in the ground, I can eat it. But unfortunately, you can’t throw a Snickers bar in the air and say it flew!”

Una attended Borders College in the late 1980s where she first lifted a shearing handpiece.

She has been a professional shearer on the circuit for 29 years, working across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Norway.

Richard Schofield, shearing manager at British Wool, said: “Una is an experienced shearer and her knowledge and experiences of shearing will, I’m sure, put her in a strong position as she attempts her world record.

“As a member organisation, British Wool are totally committed to supporting the high quality shearing we have here in the UK and are delighted to be supporting Una to help her achieve her goals and wish her the very best of luck.”

Una’s world record bid will take place on Wednesday, August 7, at Trefranck Farm.

It will start at 5am and finish at 5pm, with four breaks scheduled during that time.