30/10/2017

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello.

0:00:04 > 0:00:06We are going in search of investors's missing money.

0:00:06 > 0:00:08Can we have a chat?

0:00:08 > 0:00:10We have come to ask where the money is.

0:00:10 > 0:00:13At the time I thought it was a good return.

0:00:13 > 0:00:14I did trust that company.

0:00:14 > 0:00:21Could you leave, get the BLEEP out.

0:00:21 > 0:00:23This is no different to handing your life

0:00:23 > 0:00:24savings over to a man

0:00:24 > 0:00:27in the pub and hoping he will give it back to you one day.

0:00:27 > 0:00:28Leave the camera.

0:00:28 > 0:00:31Also coming up, the online love rats breaking hearts

0:00:31 > 0:00:32and busting bank accounts.

0:00:32 > 0:00:35It is like part of your world disappears and I also felt quite

0:00:35 > 0:00:37ashamed that I could have been so silly.

0:00:37 > 0:00:39And learning the ropes.

0:00:39 > 0:00:43My attempt to become the UK tree climbing champion.

0:00:43 > 0:00:45Seven minutes remaining.

0:00:45 > 0:00:49There you go!

0:00:58 > 0:01:02First, they have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket with no idea

0:01:02 > 0:01:04where their money has gone.

0:01:04 > 0:01:10Investors in a property scheme have told us they want some serious

0:01:10 > 0:01:14answers so did their top tip turn into a non-runner?

0:01:16 > 0:01:22A flutter on the horses can be tempting.

0:01:22 > 0:01:29Especially when that sure bet is looking you right in the eye.

0:01:29 > 0:01:32And like horse racing, financial investments

0:01:32 > 0:01:39also need a bit of luck if they are to pay out.

0:01:39 > 0:01:43Come on!

0:01:43 > 0:01:46But if that investment tip falls at the first hurdle,

0:01:46 > 0:01:53you might find you backed the wrong horse.

0:01:55 > 0:02:00That is exactly what happened to Stephen Perry from Ringwood.

0:02:00 > 0:02:03Stephen was investing for his future and the current low interest rates

0:02:03 > 0:02:09being offered by banks were not very tempting.

0:02:09 > 0:02:13I am virtually retired now and I had an amount of capital I wanted to put

0:02:13 > 0:02:17away and then some income from custom I have two kids

0:02:17 > 0:02:20at school, they will begin to university before I know it

0:02:20 > 0:02:23and they are expensive.

0:02:23 > 0:02:29Eager to start investing, Stephen found a broker online.

0:02:29 > 0:02:32They claimed they did all the due diligence,

0:02:32 > 0:02:38they only offered viable products so I trusted them.

0:02:38 > 0:02:42The broker introduced Stephen to Forbes capital,

0:02:42 > 0:02:51it was offering a secured two-year investment in a social housing

0:02:51 > 0:02:54scheme based in Chicago.

0:02:54 > 0:02:55Forbes capital was promising high returns.

0:02:55 > 0:02:58So Stephen invested £70,000.

0:02:58 > 0:03:01They were purchasing property so there were assets

0:03:01 > 0:03:04against which if things went wrong, at least I would get some if not

0:03:04 > 0:03:09all of my money back.

0:03:09 > 0:03:11For Stephen, it sounded like the perfect investment

0:03:11 > 0:03:13and he wasn't the only one who thought so.

0:03:13 > 0:03:15Records we have seen show investors have paid

0:03:15 > 0:03:20£440,000 to Forbes capital.

0:03:20 > 0:03:24This man, Tony and his fiancee invested £5,000 to help

0:03:24 > 0:03:25pay for their wedding.

0:03:25 > 0:03:31To date, they haven't received a penny.

0:03:31 > 0:03:37Others invested lump sums from the pensions.

0:03:37 > 0:03:40"I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Forbes

0:03:40 > 0:03:45"capital Ltd as a valued investor in respect

0:03:45 > 0:03:50"of the investment of £40,000."

0:03:50 > 0:03:5364-year-old Premath was an NHS nurse for over 40 years

0:03:53 > 0:03:55and has recently retired.

0:03:55 > 0:04:05He dipped into his pension pot to invest with Forbes capital.

0:04:05 > 0:04:07I decided to make some investment I invested 40,000

0:04:07 > 0:04:10and that was for two years.

0:04:10 > 0:04:13Forbes capital promised to return all of his investment at the end

0:04:13 > 0:04:18and pay him £400 every month.

0:04:18 > 0:04:28Even I received a payment schedule from the managing director

0:04:30 > 0:04:32to tell me how much I would get.

0:04:32 > 0:04:35At the time I thought it was a good return.

0:04:35 > 0:04:36That is the main reason I invested.

0:04:36 > 0:04:40And it was a regular monthly income because since I have retired I am

0:04:40 > 0:04:43only getting less money every month so that was to make it up,

0:04:43 > 0:04:47that is the main reason I invested in Forbes capital.

0:04:47 > 0:04:52He only received four interest payments and then they dried up.

0:04:52 > 0:05:01He contacted Forbes capital to ask where his money

0:05:01 > 0:05:05return his calls or respond to his e-mails.

0:05:05 > 0:05:08After a lifetime of helping others, he hoped this investment would help

0:05:08 > 0:05:09him and his family financially.

0:05:09 > 0:05:11I am extremely worried about the capital of 40,000

0:05:11 > 0:05:16because I worked hard for that.

0:05:16 > 0:05:22I am worried about the returns as well because when I am not

0:05:22 > 0:05:24getting it, I am really frustrated about that.

0:05:24 > 0:05:30Because I did trust that company.

0:05:31 > 0:05:36So, who is behind the company?

0:05:36 > 0:05:43The main shareholder Forbes capital is this man, Peter Shuttleworth.

0:05:43 > 0:05:45He previously was a director for Colonial capital

0:05:45 > 0:05:48which offered an almost identical investment opportunity.

0:05:48 > 0:05:54That firm went under owing millions.

0:05:54 > 0:05:56Forbes capital is unregulated and for investors that can

0:05:56 > 0:06:00mean risky business.

0:06:00 > 0:06:03If you're dealing with an unregulated investment scheme,

0:06:03 > 0:06:06an unregulated broker, this is no difference

0:06:06 > 0:06:09to handing your life savings over to a man in the pub and hoping

0:06:09 > 0:06:12he will give it back to you again one day.

0:06:12 > 0:06:14With 30 years experience in the financial services,

0:06:14 > 0:06:20Tom specialises in retirement planning and investments.

0:06:20 > 0:06:23You have looked at the detail of the Forbes capital investment

0:06:23 > 0:06:27offer, what do you think of it?

0:06:27 > 0:06:30The two things that really worried me about it well first

0:06:30 > 0:06:32of all multiple layers of uncertainty around Chicago

0:06:32 > 0:06:35property markets, the US government, and overseas investment.

0:06:35 > 0:06:38Lots of uncertainty is there but more than anything the fact

0:06:38 > 0:06:41it is an unregulated investment scheme so the UK regulator,

0:06:41 > 0:06:44the Financial Conduct Authority has no control over it.

0:06:44 > 0:06:50It also means if anything goes wrong, you have no comeback.

0:06:50 > 0:06:56An investment broker, based in Spain acted as a middleman

0:06:56 > 0:07:00between investors and Forbes capital but even when investors started

0:07:00 > 0:07:05reporting they had not received their monthly payments

0:07:05 > 0:07:07from Forbes capital, Templar invest continued to sign

0:07:07 > 0:07:10people up to the scheme.

0:07:10 > 0:07:13Templar invest is currently being investigated by

0:07:13 > 0:07:17the Financial Conduct Authority.

0:07:17 > 0:07:23It says it ceased trading and it, too, was misled by Forbes capital.

0:07:23 > 0:07:27But that is of little comfort to Stephen when the company

0:07:27 > 0:07:31he invested in isn't paying out what they promised.

0:07:31 > 0:07:33Since you invested the money in Forbes capital, have you had

0:07:33 > 0:07:34any contact from them?

0:07:34 > 0:07:40No, the only contact I had was the bond certificate and payment

0:07:40 > 0:07:44schedule and a covering letter that came in the post back in April.

0:07:44 > 0:07:46Since that time, I have sent e-mails, left phone

0:07:46 > 0:07:49messages and nothing.

0:07:49 > 0:07:52When you realised that perhaps this investment hadn't worked out,

0:07:52 > 0:07:56how does it feel, £70,000 is a huge amount of money.

0:07:56 > 0:08:01Well, obviously I was upset.

0:08:01 > 0:08:07And I tried everything, I contacted the Financial Conduct Authority,

0:08:07 > 0:08:10the financial ombudsman, action fraud Hotline,

0:08:10 > 0:08:13the Serious Fraud Office, my MP, I wanted answers as to what had

0:08:13 > 0:08:16happened to this money.

0:08:16 > 0:08:21Are you resigned to the fact of not seeing that money again?

0:08:21 > 0:08:24Virtually.

0:08:24 > 0:08:29I think I have had to admit that probability or possibility otherwise

0:08:29 > 0:08:31I would not sleep at night and would spend all my

0:08:31 > 0:08:38days worrying about it.

0:08:38 > 0:08:40After weeks of searching, we finally found Mr Shuttleworth

0:08:40 > 0:08:41here at this caravan park in Essex.

0:08:41 > 0:08:45Time to get some answers.

0:08:45 > 0:08:47Hello, Peter Shuttleworth.

0:08:47 > 0:08:49It is John from BBC Inside Out.

0:08:49 > 0:08:51Can we have a chat?

0:08:51 > 0:08:57We have come to ask where the investors money is.

0:08:57 > 0:09:00Can you get the BLEEP out before I phone the police, thank you.

0:09:00 > 0:09:02Peter, where is the investors's many?

0:09:02 > 0:09:03Are you deaf?

0:09:03 > 0:09:04I said no.

0:09:04 > 0:09:07Leave the camera.

0:09:07 > 0:09:16You have taken tens of thousands of pounds, Peter Shuttleworth,

0:09:16 > 0:09:20you owe them at least an explanation,.

0:09:20 > 0:09:23£70,000 from Mr Perry, not a penny paid back.

0:09:23 > 0:09:25You can't even be bothered to talk to them, why not?

0:09:25 > 0:09:28They would really like to hear your side of things.

0:09:28 > 0:09:29Anything at all, Mr Shuttleworth?

0:09:29 > 0:09:32Tens of thousands of pounds of investors money and you can't

0:09:32 > 0:09:37even be bothered to talk to them.

0:09:37 > 0:09:38Nothing to say.

0:09:38 > 0:09:42Last chance.

0:09:42 > 0:09:45You are quite a hard man to track down.

0:09:45 > 0:09:55And you are a very hard man to talk to.

0:09:55 > 0:10:00Well, clearly Peter Shuttleworth doesn't want to talk to us today.

0:10:00 > 0:10:04Tens of thousands of pounds of investors's money,

0:10:04 > 0:10:07investors have asked him what has happened to the money,

0:10:07 > 0:10:09we have asked him what happened to their money and he has

0:10:09 > 0:10:13nothing to say.

0:10:13 > 0:10:16Now, an update for you on that story.

0:10:16 > 0:10:20Since we confronted Mr Shuttleworth, he sent us an e-mail stating that

0:10:20 > 0:10:24all investors would receive a full refund by the end of November.

0:10:24 > 0:10:26We will keep you posted.

0:10:26 > 0:10:29Still to come...

0:10:29 > 0:10:32I quickly regret trying to become the UK tree climbing champion.

0:10:32 > 0:10:38Seven minutes remaining.

0:10:38 > 0:10:43Next, online dating is more popular than ever but would you believe it,

0:10:43 > 0:10:47not everyone using the sites and the apps is telling the truth.

0:10:47 > 0:10:56Here is Emma Thomas.

0:10:56 > 0:10:58This is Val.

0:10:58 > 0:11:01Having lived alone for some years after her husband's death,

0:11:01 > 0:11:04she decided to give love another try.

0:11:04 > 0:11:06And after venturing online, she thought she had found it

0:11:06 > 0:11:09with a man called Peter.

0:11:09 > 0:11:12We were quite a good match because the site we used did

0:11:12 > 0:11:17profiling so we came up as the same.

0:11:17 > 0:11:21We would chat for four hours a night on messenger,

0:11:21 > 0:11:23I felt like this was someone I had a real connection with.

0:11:23 > 0:11:25It was that thing about feeling really connected.

0:11:25 > 0:11:28It was like I had found love again.

0:11:28 > 0:11:31Her new-found love said he was a major in the British Army

0:11:31 > 0:11:33stationed in Baghdad.

0:11:33 > 0:11:37Then one day he went out on patrol and I didn't hear from him

0:11:37 > 0:11:41the following morning and I always had and so I was really distressed

0:11:41 > 0:11:45and didn't hear from him for 48 hours which felt like a lifetime

0:11:45 > 0:11:50because it triggered all the memories of my husband's

0:11:50 > 0:11:53death and then he came back online to say it had been very harrowing,

0:11:53 > 0:11:56he had lost a couple of men in battle and he wanted

0:11:56 > 0:12:00to get out of the Army.

0:12:00 > 0:12:04Peter said he wanted to start a new life with VAl but needed money

0:12:04 > 0:12:07to buy himself out of the military.

0:12:07 > 0:12:11He told me where to send some money to so I sent it and naturally that

0:12:11 > 0:12:15wasn't going to be enough money so I ended up very foolishly sending

0:12:15 > 0:12:21two more lots of money totalling just over £8,500.

0:12:21 > 0:12:24This lady runs a dating agency in Brighton called

0:12:24 > 0:12:26South Downs introductions.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29She doesn't run an online service but introduces people face-to-face.

0:12:29 > 0:12:35Tara also happens to be a former detective Sussex Police.

0:12:35 > 0:12:38There are some victims that have lost up to 1.6 million,

0:12:38 > 0:12:40others have lost 800,000.

0:12:40 > 0:12:43They are life changing amounts of money to lose.

0:12:43 > 0:12:48To some people, 8000 could be a life changing amount of money to lose,

0:12:48 > 0:12:51some people are bankrupt as a result of the money they have given to some

0:12:51 > 0:12:54of these fraudsters and the sad reality is there not likely

0:12:54 > 0:12:57to ever it back.

0:12:57 > 0:13:00Nearly 4000 cases of romance fraud were reported

0:13:00 > 0:13:04to authorities last year.

0:13:04 > 0:13:10In fact, this type of crime is now so widespread,

0:13:10 > 0:13:13you can get fraud kits online that come complete with template e-mails

0:13:13 > 0:13:17to persuade people to part with their money.

0:13:17 > 0:13:20Dave Hazell has also been looking for love.

0:13:20 > 0:13:29He enjoys dancing and has always found it a great way to meet people.

0:13:30 > 0:13:33But after a spell as a singleton, Dave thought he had found his

0:13:33 > 0:13:37special someone online in Canada.

0:13:37 > 0:13:41The pair exchanged countless e-mails and phone calls.

0:13:41 > 0:13:43"I miss you so much, you have become something

0:13:43 > 0:13:50"necessary for my soul.

0:13:50 > 0:13:56"I dream about the children we will have in the future, I love you."

0:13:56 > 0:13:58So, quite emotive language.

0:13:58 > 0:14:01How do you feel when you read that?

0:14:01 > 0:14:08I felt really excited and happy and I thought my life

0:14:08 > 0:14:15was going to change for the good.

0:14:15 > 0:14:19DAve sent his online lover £15,000 to help with medical expenses

0:14:19 > 0:14:25she said she had and to pay for flights to the UK.

0:14:25 > 0:14:30I felt over the moon, happy and I felt that I had got

0:14:30 > 0:14:36the right person in my life.

0:14:36 > 0:14:42I was so looking forward to it and maybe having children.

0:14:42 > 0:14:45Neal Masters from Action Fraud is familiar with many of the common

0:14:45 > 0:14:49tricks fraudsters use.

0:14:49 > 0:14:55What you often see in relation to romance fraud is the victim

0:14:55 > 0:14:58will be told by the fraud person that they're coming to the country

0:14:58 > 0:15:02to meet with them and they will give them a better life and they will

0:15:02 > 0:15:05sweep them off their feet and this is what the victim is looking

0:15:05 > 0:15:07to see, they're looking for love, looking for commitment

0:15:07 > 0:15:13and they think they have got that through the fraud person.

0:15:13 > 0:15:17Fraudsters will often claim to have lots in common with their victims.

0:15:17 > 0:15:19Mirroring is one tactic which they find quite effective

0:15:19 > 0:15:22because if you say you have been divorced, they will say

0:15:22 > 0:15:26they have been divorced.

0:15:26 > 0:15:32It is about looking for that attachment that they can then use

0:15:32 > 0:15:36in order to help reel the victim in.

0:15:36 > 0:15:40His profile was that he was widowed and that he had joined the Army

0:15:40 > 0:15:44because of the grief and so it felt like we had an instant

0:15:44 > 0:15:48bond because we had been through a similar grief experience.

0:15:48 > 0:15:51Having parted with more than £8,000, Val heard nothing more

0:15:51 > 0:15:56from her online love.

0:15:56 > 0:15:59I did a search on the internet sat up all night and searched and found

0:15:59 > 0:16:03the story of a lady who had been scammed using the same story,

0:16:03 > 0:16:06the same picture and everything.

0:16:06 > 0:16:11It is like part of your world disappears.

0:16:11 > 0:16:15And I also felt really quite ashamed that I could have been so silly,

0:16:15 > 0:16:18that is what I felt.

0:16:18 > 0:16:23But I couldn't tell anyone, I didn't tell anybody about the money,

0:16:23 > 0:16:26I had not told anyone about the money before

0:16:26 > 0:16:31because because I felt ashamed of doing that.

0:16:31 > 0:16:35Dave was awaiting the arrival of his new love but then he got

0:16:35 > 0:16:38an e-mail saying she was visiting relatives in Ghana and was

0:16:38 > 0:16:39stuck at immigration.

0:16:39 > 0:16:43She needed yet more money.

0:16:43 > 0:16:47Dave showed the letter to his bank manager

0:16:47 > 0:16:50who immediately smelled a rat.

0:16:50 > 0:16:53It was only through the bank he said that that isn't genuine.

0:16:53 > 0:16:55How did you feel when you heard those words?

0:16:55 > 0:16:57I was devastated.

0:16:57 > 0:17:01I could not believe it had happened.

0:17:01 > 0:17:05The fraudster had sent Dave these photos to encourage him to hand over

0:17:05 > 0:17:08the cash but the police confirmed it was a con, the photos

0:17:08 > 0:17:13could have been stolen from a genuine dating profile.

0:17:13 > 0:17:16They told Dave not to send any more money.

0:17:16 > 0:17:22It made me feel really low, cheap and I could not trust anybody,

0:17:22 > 0:17:27even my close friends.

0:17:27 > 0:17:37Former detective Tara says there are people things can do

0:17:37 > 0:17:39to keep the online sharks at bay.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42The main one is to stay on a dating site, never move to private e-mails

0:17:42 > 0:17:43or private messaging.

0:17:43 > 0:17:46There are checks and balances in place online dating sites

0:17:46 > 0:17:48where certain e-mails, if they are worded in a certain way

0:17:48 > 0:17:51then they'll be pulled to one side and checked,

0:17:51 > 0:17:53they may remove that person if they believe

0:17:53 > 0:17:56them to be a scammer.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59Be wary of someone keeps asking you lots and lots of questions

0:17:59 > 0:18:02about you and your background and you suddenly find you are not

0:18:02 > 0:18:04getting much back from them.

0:18:04 > 0:18:07But you are giving a lot of information about yourself.

0:18:07 > 0:18:11You should never even consider giving out money to anybody you have

0:18:11 > 0:18:18never met or that you do not know.

0:18:18 > 0:18:20His enduring love of dancing is helping Dave get over

0:18:20 > 0:18:21his online experience.

0:18:21 > 0:18:26I go dancing which helps me to relax and focus on different things

0:18:26 > 0:18:29so my mind is not on it all the time.

0:18:29 > 0:18:31Val says she has learned from what has happened

0:18:31 > 0:18:36and is no longer ashamed about telling her story.

0:18:36 > 0:18:40If it does help someone else, if somebody is watching this

0:18:40 > 0:18:44who is wondering maybe this is a scam or not, to take a step

0:18:44 > 0:18:46back because if someone genuinely loves you,

0:18:46 > 0:18:49they are not going to put pressure on you to do something that

0:18:49 > 0:18:53doesn't feel right for you.

0:18:53 > 0:18:56Emma Thomas reporting.

0:18:56 > 0:19:02Don't forget you can find out more about the show on Twitter...

0:19:02 > 0:19:04Finally, when was the last time you climbed a tree.

0:19:04 > 0:19:08If you're anything like me, it has been a while but whether UK

0:19:08 > 0:19:10national tree climbing Championships rolled into town,

0:19:10 > 0:19:15guess who got roped in?

0:19:16 > 0:19:21There was a time I would spend more of the day up a tree then down it.

0:19:21 > 0:19:22But time has passed.

0:19:22 > 0:19:26A lot of time.

0:19:26 > 0:19:29If I am to stand any chance in a tree climbing competition,

0:19:29 > 0:19:31I need some serious help.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34And that is where Jo comes in.

0:19:34 > 0:19:38By day, Jo works as an arborist or tree surgeon.

0:19:38 > 0:19:43But she is also a three-time world champion tree climber.

0:19:43 > 0:19:44Hi, Jo.

0:19:44 > 0:19:45You must be John.

0:19:45 > 0:19:46How are you.

0:19:46 > 0:19:47Yeah, good.

0:19:47 > 0:19:48This is your challenge for today.

0:19:48 > 0:19:51Get up this beautiful oak tree.

0:19:51 > 0:19:53Things have moved on since I last climbed a tree.

0:19:53 > 0:19:57These days it is all about helmets, harnesses and ropes and first

0:19:57 > 0:20:00you have got to get the ropes up the tree.

0:20:00 > 0:20:02For that, you need to throw line.

0:20:02 > 0:20:04So, we need to get this up into the canopy.

0:20:04 > 0:20:08It turns out it is more technical than just chucking it.

0:20:08 > 0:20:11Missed.

0:20:11 > 0:20:14That is telling you we need to be letting go when your

0:20:14 > 0:20:15arm is more up here.

0:20:15 > 0:20:17I hit a branch.

0:20:17 > 0:20:20They do get stuck.

0:20:20 > 0:20:24In competition, you get points for safety, speed and technique.

0:20:24 > 0:20:27I missed the entire tree.

0:20:27 > 0:20:30I am wearing a helmet so one out of three isn't bad.

0:20:30 > 0:20:32But this doesn't bode well.

0:20:32 > 0:20:33Good bit of power and height.

0:20:33 > 0:20:34Finally, it is up.

0:20:34 > 0:20:38Let's go.

0:20:38 > 0:20:42Am I using both hands?

0:20:42 > 0:20:46After only two hours I am giddy three feet the ground.

0:20:46 > 0:20:48You are using a thigh muscle more than your arms.

0:20:48 > 0:20:50It is not the most elegant.

0:20:50 > 0:20:53What is it about trees that got Jo looked?

0:20:53 > 0:20:56I was brought up outside, I wasn't allowed to sit and watch

0:20:56 > 0:20:58telly which I'm thankful for now.

0:20:58 > 0:20:59At the time I didn't like it.

0:20:59 > 0:21:03It is a lifestyle, I would say.

0:21:03 > 0:21:07Some people have a job, go to work, 9-to-5, and that is it

0:21:07 > 0:21:10and they have their own sports they want to do and my sport happens

0:21:10 > 0:21:12to be what I do for a job.

0:21:12 > 0:21:16In fact, tree climbing means so much to Jo...

0:21:16 > 0:21:18That she even had her wedding ceremony in this very tree.

0:21:18 > 0:21:21Complete with a vicar in a cherry picker.

0:21:21 > 0:21:24Lovely.

0:21:24 > 0:21:27Lean back.

0:21:28 > 0:21:31During the competition, not only will I have to climb a tree

0:21:31 > 0:21:36but also complete a series of tasks against the clock.

0:21:36 > 0:21:40I am not as graceful as you.

0:21:40 > 0:21:46Keep stepping your feet down.

0:21:46 > 0:21:53Finally, I start making progress.

0:21:53 > 0:21:56I have never been this high in a tree before.

0:21:56 > 0:21:58Nearly there.

0:21:58 > 0:22:03It's quite a unique feeling.

0:22:03 > 0:22:07Get up to the top.

0:22:07 > 0:22:09While I'm still searching for my inner monkey,

0:22:09 > 0:22:13in Surrey one of my rivals is also preparing for the competition.

0:22:13 > 0:22:16Trees are amazing.

0:22:16 > 0:22:19They are incredible organisms when you think about it.

0:22:19 > 0:22:23Scarlett works at the Royal Horticultural Society's garden

0:22:23 > 0:22:28at Wisley where she is training to be an arborist.

0:22:28 > 0:22:31I worked in gardens and saw the team working in the trees

0:22:31 > 0:22:33above me and thought, hey, I would be up here

0:22:33 > 0:22:36and not on the floor.

0:22:36 > 0:22:39I do find it quite scary sometimes but everyone does.

0:22:39 > 0:22:42They would be lying if they said they didn't sometimes.

0:22:42 > 0:22:46Scarlet has been learning the ropes for two years

0:22:46 > 0:22:50and the UK open will be only her second competitive climb.

0:22:50 > 0:22:53The climbing competitions are fantastic.

0:22:53 > 0:22:57You learn so much off people and it is a fun

0:22:57 > 0:23:01way of thinking, hey, I am not bad at climbing after all.

0:23:01 > 0:23:03Because everyone is there going great, well the annual

0:23:03 > 0:23:04alike, OK, brilliant.

0:23:04 > 0:23:07I will keep going.

0:23:07 > 0:23:11A few weeks later and it is the day of the UK open tree climbing

0:23:11 > 0:23:14Championships in the new Forest.

0:23:14 > 0:23:24I am up against 13 other climbers from across the country.

0:23:25 > 0:23:28Jo's husband, John, will be one of the judges today.

0:23:28 > 0:23:31No favouritism, I hope.

0:23:31 > 0:23:34This makes you realise how technical it is and how

0:23:34 > 0:23:36professional these guys are.

0:23:36 > 0:23:39There was a lot more that goes on, gone are the days where you just

0:23:39 > 0:23:42hang on for dear life and cut bits off.

0:23:42 > 0:23:44There is a progression all the way through to become world champion

0:23:44 > 0:23:47and in the tree climbing world, that is a big thing.

0:23:47 > 0:23:49Jo is three-time ladies world champion.

0:23:49 > 0:23:52Have you been sizing up the opposition,?

0:23:52 > 0:23:55Yeah, quite a few of them.

0:23:55 > 0:23:58There are quite a few new faces which is good to see.

0:23:58 > 0:23:59Three, two, one.

0:23:59 > 0:24:02Go!

0:24:02 > 0:24:05As the competition gets under way, it doesn't take long for me

0:24:05 > 0:24:11to realise what I have let myself in for.

0:24:11 > 0:24:12You are seriously moving up there.

0:24:12 > 0:24:14Try to be.

0:24:14 > 0:24:18It is a lot of practice I suppose but there were a few slips

0:24:18 > 0:24:21I shouldn't have had.

0:24:22 > 0:24:27A few things I could have changed, I was shaking a lot.

0:24:27 > 0:24:30You are trying to be fast but it ends up slowing you down.

0:24:30 > 0:24:33He has got to be on the ground before the time runs

0:24:33 > 0:24:35out and unclipped.

0:24:35 > 0:24:43There you go.

0:24:43 > 0:24:45That was one for the crowd, wasn't it?

0:24:45 > 0:24:47The tree is too big!

0:24:47 > 0:24:50Not what I want to hear.

0:24:50 > 0:24:53I am not the only one sharing top tips with other climbers.

0:24:53 > 0:24:55Tony Darbyshire is one of today's judges and eight

0:24:55 > 0:24:58tree climbing trainer.

0:24:58 > 0:25:02There has been a lot of talk about equipment and...

0:25:02 > 0:25:06There is so much to learn.

0:25:06 > 0:25:09Showing guys different systems that the guys are using.

0:25:09 > 0:25:11We have the best job in the world.

0:25:11 > 0:25:12We climb trees.

0:25:12 > 0:25:15What could be better than that?

0:25:15 > 0:25:18Over on the challenge, Jo is showing why she is

0:25:18 > 0:25:21three-time world champion.

0:25:21 > 0:25:24Clear, clear.

0:25:30 > 0:25:32Jo, how was that?

0:25:32 > 0:25:34It was good fun.

0:25:34 > 0:25:35You will enjoy it.

0:25:35 > 0:25:43You think you have done all right?

0:25:43 > 0:25:44No blood!

0:25:44 > 0:25:46Newcomer Scarlet is also showing off her skills.

0:25:46 > 0:25:47Stand up, go on.

0:25:47 > 0:25:50Keep going.

0:25:50 > 0:25:54I stayed on this side.

0:25:54 > 0:25:57Which I think helped because I was leaning away from my rope.

0:25:57 > 0:26:02Unclip!

0:26:02 > 0:26:06It was all right, wasn't it?

0:26:06 > 0:26:07I can't put it off any longer.

0:26:07 > 0:26:11This could all end in total humiliation.

0:26:11 > 0:26:14Out of my league!

0:26:14 > 0:26:19Clear.

0:26:19 > 0:26:20First, getting a line in.

0:26:20 > 0:26:21Just missed it.

0:26:21 > 0:26:22Second time lucky.

0:26:22 > 0:26:23No.

0:26:23 > 0:26:28Third time lucky?

0:26:28 > 0:26:30Come on!

0:26:30 > 0:26:34With my line in I have to get my gear on.

0:26:34 > 0:26:38I am getting more help than everyone else but I am going to take it.

0:26:38 > 0:26:40It is a timed event.

0:26:40 > 0:26:42Halfway through I am still on the ground.

0:26:42 > 0:26:45Ten minutes remaining.

0:26:45 > 0:26:50Come on, John!

0:26:50 > 0:26:52Hand over hand.

0:26:52 > 0:26:54Where am I going?

0:26:54 > 0:26:56Over little bit.

0:26:56 > 0:27:02You're going this way now.

0:27:02 > 0:27:05I am heading for the bell.

0:27:05 > 0:27:06Getting there.

0:27:06 > 0:27:08Yes!

0:27:08 > 0:27:13Next I have to throw a lock in the basket.

0:27:13 > 0:27:15First go, honest!

0:27:15 > 0:27:20Time for my speedy descent.

0:27:20 > 0:27:22One minute remaining.

0:27:22 > 0:27:27The clock stops when the ropes are down.

0:27:32 > 0:27:36I am not catlike yet in the branches.

0:27:36 > 0:27:38Sluglike.

0:27:38 > 0:27:42A bit harsh, Tony.

0:27:42 > 0:27:46After a long day, the UK open championship goes to Graham Bird.

0:27:46 > 0:27:50Jo has to make do with runner-up and Scarlet takes

0:27:50 > 0:27:53a well-deserved fifth.

0:27:53 > 0:28:03As for me,...

0:28:03 > 0:28:04In 12th place my friend from the BBC.

0:28:04 > 0:28:06John.

0:28:06 > 0:28:07That is 12 out of 14.

0:28:07 > 0:28:08Unbelievably not last.

0:28:08 > 0:28:14Though the other two were disqualified.

0:28:14 > 0:28:17But technically speaking that means I am the 12th best tree

0:28:17 > 0:28:18climber in the country.

0:28:18 > 0:28:20I guess I have quite a remarkable talent.

0:28:20 > 0:28:25Me and trees, I think we have something going on.

0:28:25 > 0:28:27You are right, I won't give up the day job.

0:28:27 > 0:28:31Don't forget the e-mail...

0:28:31 > 0:28:32See you soon.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35Bye-bye.

0:28:35 > 0:28:39Next week, Paul Mayhew Archer, Parkinsons and stand-up comedy.

0:28:39 > 0:28:43My view is make them think something funny is about to happen and then

0:28:43 > 0:28:45just when they realise it isn't, you have left.

0:28:45 > 0:28:47My wife is no longer my wife.

0:28:47 > 0:28:49She is my carer and when I told my wife this,

0:28:49 > 0:28:54she said but I don't care!