He's a lumberjack and he's okay. In fact, chopping down trees is keeping Jim Crawford fighting fit at the age of 77.

The oldest axe-swinger in town has shunned a leisurely retirement to compete against men 50 years his junior in national lumberjack competitions.

Jim, from Exton, near Oakham, recently competed at the European Lumberjack Sports Championship, in Cannock, Staffordshire.

Despite years in the profession, the grandfather only began competing four years ago.

When he left the Army in 1954, after five years of service, he started a tree-felling company in Durham.

He moved to Exton 30 years ago and is still running the business.

Jim, who has claimed the European Novice Champion title, said: "I knew I could use an axe.

"Mind you, these days, with all the new technology about, I tend to just use chainsaws.

"A guy I know saw me chopping some wood and begged me to be on his team for a competition he was doing.

"That was that, really. I have a lot of spare time now, so I may as well do something that keeps me fit. It's something I'm good at and I can still do it, so why not? I know I can't play the piano, so I don't."

Jim said he stood out whenever he competed.

He said: "I'm a fans' favourite. People are shocked that I do this and I get the kids coming up to me and asking for my autograph.

"It's quite funny, really. Most of the people I compete against are in their early 20s – and I can still beat some of them."

Competitions involve chopping six planks of wood in different positions using a variety of saws and axes.

There is also a pole-climbing event, in which contestants must shimmy up an 80ft vertical wooden plank.

Jim said, despite the Monty Python song, which famously claims lumberjacks like cross-dressing and flower-pressing, it is a no-nonsense competition.

He said: "It's tough stuff. You have to be strong, fit and fast to even manage to finish a competition.

"The pole-climbing is a part I reall y enjoy because you need to be super fit and really determined to do it.

"Four years ago, when I was a young man, I could do it in 16 seconds. These days it takes me about 20."

Woodcutting genes do not run in the family, Jim said.

"None of my family has the slightest bit of interest in doing this kind of thing. They think I'm crazy," he said.

Bob Woodhead, chairman of the British Lumberjack Sports Association, said: "I've known Jim for a number of years and I've a lot of respect for him.

"He only started entering competitions late in his life, but he still wins them.

"It's staggering that anyone of his age can use some of these tools, let alone compete with them."

Jim has hung up his axe after a tough season, but said he will be ready to swing it again in May when competitions begin again.