IT’S something every child has done.

But the extreme tree climbers who came to Hampshire this weekend took things a step or two further.

Apart from a head for heights, the climbers had to be incredibly fit.

Competitors in the two-day UK and Ireland Tree-Climbing Championships had to “rescue”

fellow climbers and perform a series of other dare-devil tasks more than 90ft off the ground.

The action provided plenty of high-rise entertainment for the spectators below.

Held at the Foxlease Girl Guide centre in Clay Hill, Lyndhurst, the event attracted 35 contestants who came from as far afield as Italy, Sweden and Ireland, as well as from across the UK.

They included the women’s world champion, Jo Hedger, from the New Forest, who is planning to defend her title in America later this year.

She won the women’s event while the men’s competition was won by Swede Johan Gustavown.

“It’s nice to climb locally and win, and not have a five-hour drive home after!” said Jo, who lives in Sway.

“It was a good day and the weather was perfect.

“Foxlease is a really nice venue with all the facilities we need, including toilets and showers.

“The trees involved in the competition are in close proximity to each other, which means you can watch your friends climb as well as take part yourself.”