A GUN dog breeder from the region has returned home with an armful of trophies after taking on the might of Europe at an international competition in France.

Roy Bebbington and his wire-haired vizsla, Zac, were the first British duo to enter the annual event organised by the European Vizsla Club - and won a standing ovation from their rivals just for turning up.

The North Yorkshire ambulance paramedic raised the money to cover the cost of the trip by taking on extra shifts at work.

But, despite a swell of pride when the National Anthem was played as each country was introduced at the beginning of the contest, Mr Bebbington admitted he did not expect too much.

"Holland, France, Belgium and Switzerland were all represented and they had teams of five who had dogs that had won through national rounds," he said.

"It was a bit of a choker when they played the National Anthem - it felt like I'd won the Olympics or something. But I also knew a tough competition was still ahead."

Each partnership faced demanding teamwork tests, including finding and retrieving game from vast sugar beet fields and even from a lake.

Mr Bebbington said what made the competition particularly demanding was that each vizsla then had to pass the scrutiny of a panel of judges using the same criteria as they would for show dogs.

However, the British duo from Hudswell, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, still managed to win cups for pointing and retrieving as well as being awarded the highest rating for appearance and condition. They were placed fourth overall from a field of 21.

"I'm overjoyed with the result," said Mr Bebbington. "It was great to get an ovation just for being there. I'm really proud of Zac."