Farmers competing in a hit reality television series took on their hardest challenge yet – building a Welsh icon.

They were brought to the headquarters of Ifor Williams Trailers in Cynwyd, in Denbighshire, where they were split into two teams who each had to build one of the company’s famous trailers.

It was one of the two tasks they were set for the fifth episode of S4C’s Fferm Ffactor programme.

The six contestants left in the programme were all trying to impress the judges to avoid elimination as they compete for the title of Wales’ best farmer.

The prize for the winner is a 4 x 4 Isuzu Rodeo Denver vehicle.

After building the trailers, the two teams hitched them up to two Land Rovers for a race around a specially constructed track at the nearby Rhug Estate.

Every step of the way was captured on camera under the watchful eyes of the judges, the evergreen broadcaster Dai Jones, Llanilar, and Professor Wynne Jones, the retired principal of Harper Adams University College, in Shropshire.

The trailer challenge was shown on S4C this Thursday evening when viewers found out who was staying and which one of the competitors was being booted out by the judges.

Crossing his fingers that he was going to survive is Iwan Price, 40, from Cerrigydrudion, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

He said: "I am very happy with the way it went and we worked well as a team.

"It looked very daunting when we saw the trailer parts in a pile on the pallet but we studied everything closely before we started.

"I am familiar with the Ifor Williams Trailers and luckily there was a finished trailer there for us to look at."

Iwan Huws, 37, from Bodedern, on Anglesey, was equally positive at the end of the task.

He said: "From my point of view, I thought it went really well. I enjoyed it.

"I am very familiar with the trailers – they are very well built and the quality of the components is there for all to see.

Phil Reed, 42, from Cardigan, added: "Every good farmer knows about Ifor Williams Trailers – but to make one from scratch is something else.

"The lights and the cameras put a bit more strain on you and you can panic a little bit but on the whole it was okay I think.

"I would definitely buy the trailer that we built – but I have to say that don’t I?"

The only woman left in the competition was Catrin George, 33, from Brechfa, in Carmarthenshire.

She said: "So far, it’s been a great experience and we’ve being doing tasks I never thought I would have to do, especially today’s task at Ifor Williams Trailers.

"It’s been an eye-opener to see how they build their trailers and I think the challenge has gone okay."

In the event Glyn Roberts, 46, Llangadfan, near Welshpool, was the one who was booted out but he had happy memories of his time at Ifor Williams Trailers.

He said: "It’s been a very special experience because you see thousands and thousands of Ifor Williams trailers out on the road.

"We have had a fantastic welcome and the day we have spent here has been unforgettable.

"The shopfloor is immaculate. Everything has a place and is in its place and everybody works happily – it’s very organised."

The farmer who went on to win the 2010 Fferm Ffactor title was Teifi Jenkins, 27, from Beulah, near Newcastle Emlyn.

He said: "We always use Ifor Williams Trailers and we change them quite regularly so we are quite up to date.

"It was quite an experience putting a trailer together - it was like a big meccano set to tell you the truth.

"It was a bit like a flat-pack and it was quite a challenge. All the components were there for us and we just had to assemble them – the most important thing was using a bit of common sense."

Professor Wynne Jones said: "We wanted a task that gave the contestants a big enough challenge.

"The company has a very good name and a strong brand that people can identify with.

"We have been stressing throughout that we are looking for a professional standard and the company provides the right example.

"It was important that they worked together as a team and complied with the health and safety regime here.

"I think one or two of them might even be worthy of a job here but I’m not sure about some of the others!"

Dai Jones has four of the company’s trailers at his farm in Llanilar, near Aberystwyth.

He said: "It’s a pleasure to be here at Ifor Williams Trailers and the contestants should have every chance of doing well because they have first class facilities here.

"Farmers are usually very practical people and they all use the company’s trailers – so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to them.

"The company does everything in the right way and trailers are of the highest standard possible.

"Ifor Williams Trailers is one of the few manufacturing companies that we have left. It is a Welsh icon and like Welsh Black cattle, this company is a native breed to be cherished."

Presenter Daloni Metcalfe said: "The task today is particularly appropriate for Fferm Ffactor and I know it’s a challenging one.

"It’s a fantastic place and the workforce here are extremely friendly and helpful."

According to Andrew Reece-Jones, the Design Engineering Manager at Ifor Williams Trailers, they were delighted to welcome the contestants and the Fferm Ffactor production team.

He said: "Their presence here certainly caused a buzz of excitement among the workforce here.

"It was certainly an entertaining experience and I am sure that it will make great television."

Team Leader Alun Yaxley was on hand throughout the proceedings to offer technical expertise and advice.

He said: "A couple of the contestants were particularly impressive in the approach they adopted – but some of their methods were definitely not in our manufacturing manual."

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News » TV contestants take on a Welsh icon