"It always looks easier than it is," said agriculture lecturer Paul Attard.

If you are an expert, shearing can take a couple of minutes a sheep, but a team of competent shearers could quite easily remove the woollen fleeces of a 400 or 500-strong flock over a day.

Sheep shearing is an essential part of sheep rearing in many countries around the world.

Mr Attard, of Moulton College, said nationally there is a shortage of sheep shearers and admits the role is physically demanding.

He said: "The biggest factor in shearing is how to hold the sheep and where to move your feet; you never stand still because the animals is always moving.

"The shearing itself is all down to a pattern devised by Godfrey Bowen to ensure it's done in as few blows as possible, without cutting the animal."

Each forward stroke is called a blow and takes place in a shearing shed with a wooden floor.

The floor itself has been specifically chosen over a concrete ground to prevent shearers suffering long-term damage to their muscles.

Moulton College is one of the nearest rural institutions outside of London to offer courses in the agricultural skill.

Past students – men and women – have come from the capital, Bristol, Norfolk and Lincoln.

Mr Attard said: "People who come on the course don't necessarily have a large flock of sheep; they may just have a few at home."

Learners on the course will also be able to work towards a British Wool Marketing Board certificate.

Mr Attard added: "There have been all sorts of ways devised in the past to remove wool – even injecting sheep with a chemical so it falls off the animal – however, the best is always the human method."

Course title
Sheep shearing for beginners

Location:
Lodge Farm, on the Moulton College campus.

When:
9.30am to 4pm on Saturday, May 10.

Aim of course:
To introduce learners to the basics of sheep shearing, awareness of using and maintaining equipment such as the comb and cutter. Understanding techniques involved in handling sheep. To also give people on the course an insight into the wool industry.

Do I need any prior knowledge or
qualifications?
No.

Cost:
£60

Enrolment:
Learners can enrol at Moulton College, on Northampton 491131 or emailing enquiries@moulton.ac.uk. More information is available by logging on to www.moulton.ac.uk.

Further information:
Learners should wear appropriate clothing such as jogging bottoms and footwear.