A NATIONAL sporting event to be held in Newton Aycliffe this summer is set to be the biggest and best yet.

The town has attracted the Chudley's Classic English Whippet Derby, the biggest event in the sport's calendar.

Newton Aycliffe was supposed to host the race for the first time last year, but it was called off at the last minute because of the foot-and-mouth crisis. But because of the disappointment, organisers have decided to add an extra day to the meeting this year.

Chris Cornish, editor and publisher of Whippet News, said: "Normally we hold it at Easter, but this year we're going to do something different. As there's an extra holiday for the Queen's Golden Jubilee we thought we would go for June and hopefully attract more people."

Racing will be held on the weekend of June 1, 2 and 3 on fields at the Oak Leaf Sports Complex, School Aycliffe Lane. Admission will be free.

Saturday will see the class finals for the Derby itself and races for dogs under 35lb, the Puppy Derby, Yearling Derby, Veterans' Derby, and a race for heavier dogs.

The main finals will take place on the Sunday and there will also be a consolation race.

Great Aycliffe Town Council has put up £500 for an open event on the Monday and it is hoped many entrants will stay on for the extra day.

Chudley's dog food is to sponsor the competition for the first time, bringing record prize money

Mrs Cornish said: "We will pay out well over £2,500, which in whippet racing terms is absolutely huge. In most events you might only win £5 or £10. It's not very often you get big prize money."

Coun Alan Courtney, who has been instrumental in attracting the event to Newton Aycliffe, said: "We're expecting a really good turn-out. With it being a bank holiday, I can imagine families wanting to come for a day out.

"Everything was in place last year and to cancel it was a bitter disappointment, but hopefully there shouldn't be a problem this year."

He added: "There's going to be in excess of 200 dogs there from the length and breadth of the country. This is the biggest event in the whippet calendar and it's about time we put Newton Aycliffe on the sporting map."