DOGS almost outnumbered people at a country fair which attracted visitors from all over the North at the weekend.

Wolsingham Show committee organised Saturday's showcase for country sports on their Scotch Isle showground in County Durham.

Secretary Gordon Dobson was pleased with the 3,000 crowd.

He said: "Most of the people who turned up came to take part. They are country people and enjoy country pursuits.

"The show is a way of using the showground more than once a year. We brought forward the date from June to May because it used to clash with other events."

The show ring staged greyhound racing and simulated coursing, before the day ended with harness racing.

There was clay pigeon shooting and a gymkhana organised by the Braes of Derwent Pony Club.

Ron Hodgson, who organised a terrier and lurcher show took 200 entries.

He said: "It was a good show. Most of the people are very knowledgeable and they come to exhibit from as far away as Morecambe, in Lancashire, and Derbyshire.

"They will travel a long distance for a good show. They do it because they like it."

Ian Church, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, won two best in show prizes with his terrier dog and puppy.