A NORTH Yorkshire forest echoed to the sound of Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies straining at the leash in the UK Sled Dog Championships at the weekend.

Ninety teams, some from as far away as Dorset and northern Scotland, took part in the competition, held - for the first time - in 8,600-acre Dalby Forest, near Pickering.

Reaching speeds of up to 30mph, teams competed over a demanding course, with the winners going forward to represent the UK at next year's world championships, in France.

Chief recreation ranger Brian Walker said: "We are very excited and proud to host this event for the first time in Dalby Forest.

"It is a fantastic spectacle, demanding real team work between dogs and handlers."

Among the competitors was Alistair Spowart from Moor Monkton, near York, who was competing in the six-dog category with his Siberian huskies, just after taking part in Crufts, last week