A blacksmith has been crowned national live forging champion for the sixth consecutive year.

Simon Hall, the tenant blacksmith at Branscombe Forge, achieved this remarkable feat at the National Blacksmiths Competition, which has been held annually since 1986.

The competition is a platform to showcase and promote the blacksmith craft.

Simon's winning entry was a boot puller, crafted in a live demonstration within 60 minutes at the Dorset County Show last weekend.

His creation earned him enough points to secure the title in what was described as a "tightly contested competition" that spanned county shows across the country throughout the summer.

The National Blacksmiths Competition is divided into two categories: live, where the metalwork is made on the spot at one of the county shows, and static, where the piece can be made previously and brought to the county show to be judged.

This year's competitions were spread across nine events over five months.

Simon said: "Competing at the county shows is a fantastic way to meet blacksmiths from across the country.

"It’s a good opportunity to talk about new design ideas and techniques.

"Most of the shows now have a visitor vote which helps us find out what the public likes to see and gives us new ideas, some of which have developed into stock items available in the showroom."

He works at Branscombe Forge, believed to be the oldest thatched working forge in England, built in the 18th century and cared for by the National Trust.

Branscombe Forge, which was built in the 18th century Branscombe Forge, which was built in the 18th century (Image: National Trust/ Rob Skinner)

Meg Vallender, National Trust visitor experience officer, said: "It’s wonderful to be able to keep this traditional craft alive and flourishing in this beautiful thatched building.

"It really brings the history of the place and craft alive to see Simon working there and producing these amazing pieces.

"Visitors love to come and have a look around the small forge shop and if they are lucky they can see Simon working the forge producing his next piece of metal work."

Simon added: "Working at Branscombe Forge is pretty amazing and it’s an honour to keep the traditional skills of the blacksmith alive inside a building with so much history.

"Blacksmiths have been in my family for generations with my grandad, father and uncle all blacksmiths and my interest was ignited when I was 8 watching my father at work in the forge.

"I then took it up as a hobby in my teens and became a full-time blacksmith about 15 years ago."

For more than 300 years, generations of blacksmiths have worked at Branscombe Forge, crafting items such as ploughs, fishing hooks, metal tyres, axe heads, pig rings, and horseshoes.

Today, Simon continues to keep the forge alive, using his traditional skills to create both practical and artistic works available for purchase in the showroom, which is open all year.

Visitors to the forge may be lucky enough to see him working the forge, providing a glimpse into the past and the traditional methods of blacksmithing.