A County Durham town is set to fall under the sporting spotlight when it hosts the All England Whippet Derby over the Easter weekend.

The whippet equivalent of horse racing's Grand National will be held at the Oak Leaf Sports Complex in Newton Aycliffe on April 14 and 15.

More than 200 dogs and owners, and thousands of spectators from around the world, are expected to attend this premier event in the whippet racing calendar.

Organiser Chris Cornish said the event regularly attracts visitors from the United States.

She said: "It hasn't got the cloth cap image that used to be portrayed. There are a lot of doctors, dentists and that type of people who are owners now."

Alan Courtney, deputy leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council, was instrumental in bringing the event to the town. He hopes the two-day meeting will help to put Newton Aycliffe on the sporting map.

He said: "Newton Aycliffe is a big town, but we never bring any events here really. If we can bring the All England Whippet Derby here, maybe we can attract some other sports."