A TEAM of flyball enthusiasts have gone back into training with their dogs after missing out narrowly on the Crufts final.

The Bombers team, from Barnard Castle, were semi-finalists in the flyball competition at Crufts, at the NEC, in Birmingham, this month but then just failed to reach the final.

But now they believe they can win at least two events in the coming months to gain a double entry for the next Crufts.

In this year's line-up were Kathy Harris with Dillon, Mandy Le Patourel with Tilly, Anne Spiby with Shep and Doreen Bowes with Lad. The reserves were Sarah Heslop with Penny and Pat Ralph with Tikka.

Ms Spiby said: "We tried hard in the big contest against teams from all over Britain and were pleased to do so well. But we'll train even harder in the hope of getting to the final next time."

In the flyball event, dogs must stamp on a pedal to release a ball, which they catch in their mouths and then race over hurdles.

The Bombers train in an arena behind the Bridge Inn, at Ramshaw, near Barnard Castle, on Sundays from 2.30pm.

The group is appealing for more dog owners to join the club.