PENSIONER Graham Thresher's pigeons are some of the best in the world - and he has the medals to prove it. Graham, a retired bricklayer who lives in Alcombe, had three of his racing pigeons chosen to represent Britain in the prestigious Pigeons Olympics in Ostend last weekend. And all three winged their way to a medal, with his hen picking up a gold and being judged the best in the Olympics and the other two returning with individual silvers for coming fifth and tenth in the team event, which was won by Great Britain. It was the first time since 1964 that the UK had taken gold and Graham's birds and the other seven in the team beat off competition from 15 countries worldwide. Graham's son Roland travelled to Ostend, leaving his 70-year-old father at home. "He was so thrilled, as I was," said Graham. "It was such a surprise that my birds were picked to represent Great Britain but even more of a surprise to do so well." The pigeons did not have to show off their racing prowess in Belgium but they had to undergo a thorough examination by judges to check out their bone structure, balance, muscle structure and quality of plumage. Graham, who had the most birds of any member of the British contingent, has been keeping birds since he was ten and Roland, who also lives in Minehead, is continuing the family tradition.