A DOG groomer is travelling hundreds of miles for some top training in pampering pooches.

Caroline Bruce, 25, from West Pelton, has worked at Groomers in Chester-le-Street for the past two years, but is making the journey to Scotland to gain some of the best industry training.

Her employer, Lilian Spark, settled on the City and Guilds residential training course.

Business Link County Dur-ham helped find the course and met the £600 costs.

The business offers canine luxury and treatments range from baths with shampoos to a trim or care for skin conditions. It also specialises in treating health problems that have been referred by a vet.

Groomers was set up four years ago and has more than 1,500 regular clients, who travel from as far as Ireland.

"Demand is definitely increasing for the service," said Lilian. "Bathing a dog can be very messy and owners like to see their dogs well-groomed."

Paul Appleton, of Business Link County Durham, said: "We have European Social funds available to help businesses operating in many different sectors who need to send staff on accredited training courses.

"Caroline's training course in dog grooming is perhaps one of the more unusual requests we have had, but we are delighted that her training is going so well."

Business Link County Durham can be contacted by calling 0191-3744 000 or at www.blcd.co.uk