BRILLIANT sunshine helped the region's biggest dog show get under way with none of the problems which dampened spirits at last year's event.

The three-day 33rd Darlington Championship Show continues today and tomorrow following yesterday's glorious opening day.

Thousands of dogs and their owners from around the country and further afield gathered at Darlington's South Park for the hound, terrier and utility categories.

A total of more than 9,500 animals are expected to take part in competition over the three-day event, which continues at 9.30am today.

Maureen Hennis, chairman of the Darlington Dog Show Society, which runs the event, said she was grateful to have avoided the problems of last year's show.

The petrol crisis, and bad weather, which had left the park in a terrible state, gave organisers an uphill struggle to keep last year's show going.

But yesterday Mrs Hennis said: "Everything has gone very, very smoothly and we have been blessed with a beautiful day.

"If the following two days go as smoothly as today, we will have had a very, very good show. Attendances have been wonderful today with the lovely weather."

Mrs Hennis urged dog lovers not to miss out on the next two days of the show.

She said: "There have been some fantastic dogs here today, the highest quality dogs, not only in the country, but also from abroad as well, and if people want to see the top dogs, this is the place to be this weekend."

This year's entry has been boosted by international entries with the success of the Passports for Pets scheme.

Police have special traffic measures in place for the weekend and motorists are urged to take heed of any signs and restrictions to avoid extra congestion problems.

Visiting dog owners are being warned they will not be able to take their own pets on to the show field unless they are registered for the show.

Tomorrow's judging, as today's, starts at 9.30am.

The event is run under Kennel Club rules and regulations on the group system of judging.