THE sport of whippet racing has adopted a North-East town as the home for one of its main events.

And, as record crowds descended on the region at the weekend, it was easy to see why.

It is the third year that the Chudley's Classic English Whippet Derby has been held in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Organisers have praised the venue, The Oakleaf Leisure Complex, year after year and say its reputation speaks for itself by the number of entries for this weekend's event.

Main organiser Chris Cornish said: "We had 189 dogs entered this year. When we first started here, the event was small, but it keeps getting bigger and better.

"People look forward to this all year round and treat it as a holiday. We have had a fantastic weekend."

The warm-up started on Friday with fun racing, giving dog owners from throughout the UK their first chance to eye up the competition.

On Saturday and yesterday, the competition was fierce. Nottingham father and son team Chris and Anthony Horshall reigned victorious with their dog, Short Spot.

Tony and Sue Cooper travelled from Portsmouth and clinched the double, with young bitch One's Sassy winning the Bitch Puppy Derby and One Off winning the Dog Puppy title.

Mr Cooper said: "This is the third time we have been to Newton Aycliffe and we love it here. The facilities are brilliant and they really look after us."

The event is sponsored with a £2,000 grant from Great Aycliffe Town Council as well as Chudley's, Wendy Freeman, Greyhound Megastore and Whippet News.

Great Aycliffe Town Council's chairman of recreation, Councillor Alan Courtney, said: "We would love them to come back again next year. They are a great crowd.

"It has proved very, very popular and the people of the town have turned out in force to support it and enjoy the racing. I would like this to be known as the home of the Derby and, with the facilities we offer, I feel confident that it can be."

Racing continues today with the Newton Aycliffe Whippet Club's Not So Open Derby.