ALMOST 10,000 pedigree dogs descended on Darlington at the weekend for the country's second largest dog show.

All shapes and sizes of dog, from Dobermanns to dachshunds, competed for the honours in a wealth of categories at the Darlington Championship Dog Show challenging for a place at Crufts, the world's premier dog show, next year.

This year's top dog took the best in show trophy out of the region. Dachida's Master Angel, a chihuahua from Stockport, Greater Manchester, owned by Amy Davis, was judged best overall.

Last year, Jean Taylor, of Northallerton, clinched the top prize with her Welsh springer spaniel.

Dogs, owners and judges came from all over the world, including Australia and New Zealand, to be involved in the show. Organisers estimated that about 100,000 people had visited the dog show, which was staged in South Park over three days.

Show society chairman, Maureen Hennis, said: "It has been a very busy, very successful show this year. With three days of glorious weather, it just could not have been better. So many people have congratulated us on bringing such an enormous event to Darlington and making it such a success."