JENNIFER Lopez, Emma Thompson and Russell Crowe were all in the region yesterday.

But the star names were not in the North-East for a film festival or premiere, instead they were surprise entrants in Darlington's Championship Dog Show.

The basset hounds - full names Riverwalk Jennifer Lopez, Riverwalk Emma Thompson and Riverwalk Russell Crowe - were just three of the dogs taking part in the first day of the 34th annual show.

The event, which is the biggest dog show in the region, was opened by the Mayor of Darlington, Doris Jones, who also used to show dogs.

Yesterday was the turn of the hound, terrier and utility breeds to take to the showrings and today the working and pastoral breeds will be shown.

On Sunday, as well as the gun dogs and toy groups being on show, Councillor Jones will return to the site at South Park to present the best of show prizes.

More than 10,000 dogs and their owners from across the country are expected to come to Darlington during the three-day show with the majority expected today and tomorrow.

Speaking at the end of the first day, chairman of the Darlington Dog Show Society Maureen Hennis said: "It has been a brilliant day.

"There have been no hitches and all the dogs and their owners have had a good time. The weather held out and the conditions were great for the dogs.

"The first day is always the quietest and we are expecting more competitors and members of the public to visit over the weekend.

"We love to see the public here, enjoying the atmosphere and seeing the dogs.

"But we would ask people not to bring their own animals with them, only dogs entered in the show are allowed in the show area."

Numerous traffic restrictions are in place throughout the event and visitors are asked to follow signs

Judging starts today and tomorrow at 9.30am.