Take 10: Pigeon racers

Arthur Goacher is one of 10 pigeon racers Hannah Booth spoke to Photograph: Barry Lewis

Peter and Carl Nee. Peter, 16, and Carl, 28, have followed their dad into the game. They get up at 6am most days to clean and exercise their brood of 500. Carl and Peter worry that not enough young people are taking up pigeon racing Photograph: Barry Lewis

David Brown, 23, started racing a year ago. His grandad got him hooked. He has a sparkly Dolce & Gabbana watch and a lot of confidence. “I’ve had a very successful season” Photograph: Barry Lewis

Robert Harrod, 8, keeps pigeons with his dad, too. The best bit? “I get to hold them” Photograph: Barry Lewis

Tom Wilkinson, 77, has been racing “extreme distance” pigeons, 800 or 900-mile races, since the 1950s Photograph: Barry Lewis

The extreme distance races are the formula one of the pigeon world, with big prize money. One of the biggest is Barcelona. “It’s a graveyard race,” says Bob Fell, who started racing when he was 14. “I could send 20 birds and get two back” Photograph: Barry Lewis

Keith Mott Photograph: Barry Lewis

Kirsty Jones, 19, helps her dad out with his pigeons. “I wouldn’t take it on myself, but I enjoy it” Photograph: Barry Lewis

Steve "Dreadmeister" Pollitt Photograph: Barry Lewis