Victory was claimed by a New Malden woman who was part of a select few to succeed at Crufts last week, following a crash course in dog training.

Beth Hardy, 24, who lives in Elm road, was one of only a handful of winners out of nearly 100 entrants in the Doggie Bronze Factor competition at the annual event in Birmingham, which started on Thursday, March 11.

Ms Hardy, a horse instructor by trade with no prior experience in dog training, had been hard at work with her labrador Clover at the Kennel Club for just eight weeks - as the competition dictates.

She said: “I always knew Clover would pass but the atmosphere at Crufts is quite different because it is held in such a big events hall with loudspeakers and music.

“I think in the end she was getting a bit fed up because it was such a long day and she ended up being poorly the next day.”

Residents who want to enter next year’s Bronze Factor awards and the Good Citizen Dog Scheme visit gcds.org.uk.