A DOG training centre held a baking contest and coffee morning with a difference to boost the coffers of two canine causes.

K9 Pursuits Dog Day Care and Training Centre, on Aycliffe Business Park, held a Great British Bark Off and coffee morning last Saturday.

The event raised £516.80 to be shared between Paws Up– Durham Retired Police Dogs Benevolent Fund and The Lost Dog Trapping Team North East.

Gill Crawford, of K9, said: "We invited people and their dogs to come along and join us for coffee and cake and asked people to enter the doggy themed baking competition. The entries were amazing with some very innovative bakes being placed on the table.The event was judged by Helen Armstrong, from Paxtons sandwich bar in Durham, and her Great Dane Gracie.

Helen said that the standard was very good and it was a hard job to judge the champion over all best baker.

There were two categories, A bake for human taste buds and a Bake for Doggy taste buds.

The event was well attended and after the prizegiving, the entries were auctioned off to raise more money."

Jennifer Brooke, of Darlington, was champion baker with an iced Victoria sponge topped with a fondant dog.