IF the route to success is a greasy pole, then life should hold no fear for Richard Batson.

E i g h t e e n - y e a r - o l d Richard is celebrating after finishing second in the 2010 World Pole Climbing Championships.

The teenager scaled an 80ft stripped bare Douglas fir tree in an astonishing 10.14 seconds.

That was one second outside the world record – held by Grant Gallier – and only Matt Thompson, from Wales, set a faster time on the day, guaranteeing Richard silver and leaving record holder Grant having to settle for bronze.

The contest challenges competitors to scale a freestanding wooden pole in the fastest time possible.

Using spiked boots, ropes and belts, the athletes race to the summit and strike an electronic timing device to record their time.

Richard, from Tow Law, County Durham, said: “I’d never entered the world championships before. I was climbing three times a day and I was very pleased with my time on the day.”

Richard honed his skills while studying for a national diploma in arboriculture at East Durham College’s Houghall campus, near Durham City.

Other Houghall students finished fourth and sixth in the competition.

Classmate Jack Barnard, 21, from Trimdon Village, County Durham, finished second in the novice event, in a time of 16.44 seconds.

He said: “The contest before I’d finished last, so I was quite shocked really.

“I really enjoy it. It’s kind of strange – you’re moving so fast, it’s difficult to explain what you’re doing.”

Lecturer Chris Wheatley, whose best climb in years gone by was 19 seconds, said Richard had just the right frame for the challenge.

“He’s short and thin, but strong as well. It’s a friendly atmosphere, but it’s competitive too.

“All the students did extremely well, particularly Richard and Jack. The college also provided the belay team which was responsible for all the climbers’ safety. I was very proud of the whole team.”

Richard, who hopes to work for his grandfather Terry Batson’s company, Batson Environmental Leisure, after finishing his studies, won a climbing saw and £150, while Jack, who plans to accept a tree surgeon’s job in Sussex, also won a climbing saw.

The championships were held at Cannock Chase, in Staffordshire, between September 23 and 25.