AN ENERGETIC team of Kidderminster canines came top of their group in a national sporting competition for dogs.

The Kiddy Minsters were winners of Division 21 at the British Flyball Championships held at Aubury Hall near Nuneaton.

Flyball is a sport for dogs who race as a relay team of four over a set of jumps to retrieve a tennis ball and then back to the handler, followed by the next dog.

Team captain Stuart Milton said: “This is a fantastic achievement for such a small club. None of the dogs put a paw wrong all day, which is a credit to the dog handlers and the club trainers.”

Mr Milton and dog Harvey along with Karen Milton and Tiegan, Louise Mason and Mac, Melanie Young and Flyte, Glyn Evans and Harvey and Rob Bolus and Abby won 15 of 16 races.

They won the division with the fastest time of 19.3 seconds.

The British Championships is the largest flyball show in Europe with more than 250 teams and more than 1,500 dogs taking part.

Following the team’s success, Mr Milton said the club was keen to recruit new members.

He added: “The sport is good fun and great exercise for the dog handlers.”

The club trains at Debdale Equine Centre, Cookley, on Thursdays from 7.30pm until 8.15pm for beginners and 8.15pm until 9pm for more experienced dogs.

For more information about flyball and the club, visit kidderminsterdogclub.com