A DOG training club has produced an ambitious plan to help raise money for a trip to Crufts.

Barnard Castle Dog Training Club's flyball team, called the Barney Bullets, is to compete at the top dog show next year.

To help fund the trip, and raise money for other local concerns, the club has decided to hold the first Barnard Castle Great North dog walk.

The aim is to have 100 dogs taking part in a sponsored walk which, when the distance each dog walks is added together, will equal the 370 miles return trip from Barnard Castle to the NEC, in Birmingham, where the Crufts dog show is being held in March next year.

The circular walk of about four miles will take place on Saturday, February 2, starting in Barnard Castle at 10am, with 1pm the latest time to set off.

The walk will be marshalled and all dogs must be kept on a lead.

All walkers will receive a certificate on completion of the walk, and participants are asked to try to raise £20 in sponsorship.

There is also a prize of a meal for two at the Montalbo Hotel, Barnard Castle, for the person who raises the most sponsorship money.

The final amount collected will be divided equally between the Barney Bullets Crufts fund, Border Collie Rescue, in Richmond, the Special Care Baby Unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital and the Intensive Therapy Unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

An information pack and sponsorship form is available by sending a stamped, addressed envelope to: G Russell, 4 High Riggs, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8HU.