Sheep shearing experts flocked to a small town in the French countryside on July 4 for the opening of the annual world championship, a four-day event held for the first time on French soil.

More than 320 competitors from 34 countries as far apart as Norway, Japan and the Cook Islands, are battling it out to win titles in woolhandling, machine shearing and "blade" shearing, a traditional method using scissors.

And the 5,000 sheep on site will no doubt appreciate a haircut, with temperatures expected to peak at 34 C over the coming days in Le Dorat, a town in central France.

It is the first time the international competition sets foot - and hoof - on French soil. 

Sheep are typically shorn at least once a year to avoid sickness caused by ticks, flies and other insects in their wool.

Endurance, speed and flexibility are considered key attributes of professional shearers who are paid per animal shorn.

AFP