THE fifth English Open Chainsaw Carving Competition will be held at Tatton Park on the August Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 29 to Monday, August 31.

Tatton Park Country Fair will see some 30 chainsaw ‘artists’ taking part from around the world including the US, Japan, Uganda, Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Netherlands, as well as Scotland, Wales and England.

Cheshire man Tim Burgess, who hails from Knutsford, and who’s responsible for carvings across Trafford including Altrincham’s Stamford Park and a number at nearby Larkhill Park, Timplerley, will be flying the flag for England.

“This will be a really a brilliant spectacle,” he told Messenger.

“To have 30 of the world’s best chainsaw carvers creating their art in the north-west of England is really excellent.

“I have had the highest auction price in the last two competitions – and I hope to be up there at the top again”.

There will be two separate competitons on the day, both will be open for people to watch. The Classic Competition will ask competitors to create a large carving up to foot in diameter and as high as 13 feet. These carvings will all later be auctioned off.

The 'combo' competition will see two two smaller carvings.

There’ll also be a 'speed carve' at 1pm – a fast-moving event when all the carvers create a piece in just 30 minutes, with all products then auctioned immediately.