A WOOLLY occasion proved to be popular in Denbighshire.

Recently, finalists in the first Young Farmers' 'Wool to Wealth' competition came together at Hwb Pentredwr, near Llangollen, to present their ideas.

Judges at the event were Dr Graham Ormondroyd, head of the wool research team at the BioComposites Centre within Bangor University, and David Shiel, AONB area manager with Denbighshire County Council.

They were delighted with the standard of projects that came forward.

Ideas ranged from alternative forage wrap, branded clothing and parcel packaging to pet products were presented and they gave the judges the difficult task of finding a winner.

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Dr Ormondroyd said: "I was impressed with the quality of the ideas presented.

"All of them had merit and it was certainly a challenge to choose a final winner."

Mr Shiel added: "The ideas emphasised the unique qualities of Welsh wool and sought to address serious issues of environmental sustainability in a way that showed real innovation.

"I would be excited to see some of these ideas developed further."

The aim of managing group Gwlangollen is to add value to wool produced in Wales and, as part of this drive, untried ideas from the young people working in the sector are being showcased and given a chance to develop into mainstream products.

The 2022 winners were Manon Bryn Jones and Elliw Jones Evans, from Godre'r Eifl Young Farmers in the Eryri federation.

Their submission was for alternative forage wrap.

A close second was Nia Parry, from Whitford YFC in the Clwyd federation, whose idea was branded clothing.

The aim for next year is to grow the competition, forming part of YFC rallies Wales-wide and going forward with the final taking place at the 2023 Royal Welsh Show.