Economic hope over sheepdog show

Dogs have to guide a total of 20 sheep around the course

Cumbria is to play host to the annual International Sheepdog Trials in 2009, it has been announced.

More than 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the three-day event at Lowther, near Penrith, in September.

There are hopes it will provide an economic boost to the region, as in recent years it has brought about £1.5m into the areas in which it was held.

An annual county show held at Lowther was called off in 2008 due to rain, and will not go ahead in 2009.

The sheepdog trial, which has run every year since 1906, tests the top dogs and handlers from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Dogs have to guide a total of 20 sheep around a course, in conditions resembling those encountered in everyday shepherding on the hills and farms.