A DOG training club is hoping its flyball team can collar a winners' medal at Crufts this year - despite being the underdogs.

The Barney Bullets, part of the Barnard Castle Dog Training Club, in County Durham, have qualified for the show for the second year running.

And although the team is not among the favour-ites to win the flyball competition, members are confident they can win.

Club member Gina Russell said: "To get through to the British Flyball Finals means we are ranked in the top 16 teams in the country.

"Last year, we qualified for the first time and BBC commentator Peter Purves was amazed that a club with only six flyball dogs could qualify.

"This year, our dogs are more experienced, so we are quietly confident."

The game involves a relay team of four dogs leaping over obstacles, before collecting a ball and returning over the obstacles to the start.

The team is hoping fans will travel to the NEC in Birmingham to watch them take part in next month's event.

A sponsored walk held by the training club raised more than £1,500, split between the Border Collie Rescue, in Richmond, Bishop Auckland General Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit and the Intensive Care Unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The flyball finals will be held from March 7 to 10. A coach has been organised for March 8, when the Barney Bullets first compete. To find out more, contact Ian Douglas on (01833) 650638.