A GROUP of clever canines and their handlers collared third place in the prestigious team agility competition at Crufts.

The delighted six-strong squad from Chippenham Agility Club travelled to Crufts on Friday for the national team agility competition.

The team progressed from Saturday's semi-finals to reach the final on Sunday.

Jane Holmes, who competed with her dog Kristy, said: "Only the winning teams from each of the eight heats held around the country qualified for the finals. These heats can have as many as 112 teams in the competition, so the really hard part was getting to Crufts in the first place."

The dogs and handlers train at Staverton Livery Stables on a Tuesday night and the club has about 70 male and female members aged from nine to 76 years.

Members come from all over Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset.

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