WHIPPET racing fever is about to hit the region when the biggest event in the sport's calendar is held over the next three days.

The Chudleys Classic English Whippet Derby, equivalent to horse racing's Grand National, will be held in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, over the weekend.

Up to 200 dogs and hundreds of owners and spectators from all corners of the UK are expected to descend on fields at the Oak Leaf Sports Complex to contest the greatest prize in whippet racing.

Record prize money of more than £3,000 is up for grabs, thanks to first-time sponsorship from Chudleys dog food and Great Aycliffe Town Council.

And The Northern Echo is also offering a prize of £50 for the dog judged North East Whippet of the Year.

The racing will start on Saturday at about 12.30pm and will include all of the class finals.

The main finals, including the Derby itself, will take place on Sunday from about 1pm.

There will be an extra, open event on Monday for those owners who want to stay another day or who were unable to take part at the weekend. Admission to the event is free on each day.

Competition for the Derby is expected to be intense, but two main favourites have emerged over recent weeks - and it could lead to an England v Scotland clash.

Until last weekend most punters favoured Surrey-based Supreme Racing Champion Dancing Wind, a 19lb bitch, for the big prize.

But it was beaten in a competition last weekend by Champion of Champions Demolition Blue, trained in Ayr, Scotland, which may give it the edge.

The two whippets have been head-to-head in the big competitions this year, but as in horse-racing there is always the chance of an upset.

Chris Cornish, editor and publisher of Whippet News, said: "People are getting very excited about this event and hopefully the weather looks like it's going to stay fine.

"They're coming from the top end of Scotland to the south coast of England. We've got all age groups racing and owners from under-10 years to up to 90-years-old."

For a full report, results and pictures from the event see Monday's Northern Echo.