A DOG show town is bracing itself for a foreign invasion.

Following the relaxation of quarantine laws, dozens of foreign animals are expected to compete in the Darlington Championship Dog Show.

Although the closing date for entries is still months away, organisers believe there will be a lot of overseas interest in the event, which is the second biggest dog show in the country, with Crufts at number one.

The relaxation of quarantine controls and the introduction of Pet Passports has meant that animals from rabies-free countries can enter the Darlington Championship Dog Show.

Dog owners from European countries, including France and Germany, are likely to head the queue of new visitors to the show, which runs from September 14 to 16 this year.

The only stipulation is that the dogs must be breeds which are already recognised in this country.

Darlington Dog Show Society chairman Maureen Hennis said: "We will not get weird and wonderful breeds which have never been seen before.

"They will be the same breeds of dogs which we already get in the show but, of course, it will mean there will be extra competition for breeders from this country."

There were a few foreign animals which competed in last year's show, but Mrs Hennis believes there will be much more foreign interest in the next event.

"The Pet Passport scheme had just started last year, and we envisage there will be a lot more entries this year," she said.

"Competition is always good in any sport and it is exactly the same in the world of dogs. The show already brings £1m into Darlington and it will only do the town more good if more foreign visitors come for the weekend or longer."

Dogs from many countries can enter Britain, providing they have the appropriate certifications.

The Pet Passports scheme was launched last year and initially covered only Western European countries.

It has been such a success that, in January, it was announced that the scheme was being extended to cover 28 more countries