A NATIONAL sporting event is coming to the North-East this summer and is set to be the biggest and best yet.

The Chudleys Classic English Whippet Derby, the major event in the sport's calendar, will be held in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in June.

The town was due to host the race for the first time last year only for it to be called off at the last minute because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

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."

The racing will be held on the weekend of June 1, 2 and 3 on fields at the Oak Leaf Sports Complex, in School Aycliffe Lane. Admission to the event will be free. Saturday will see the class finals, 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.

Chudleys dog food is sponsoring the competition for the first time, meaning record prize money of more than £2,500 will be on offer.

Councillor Alan Courtney, who has been instrumental in bringing the event to Newton Aycliffe, said: "We are expecting a really good turnout. 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 said: "There are 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."