A NEW dog training club in Sedbergh has seen its first graduates win awards in the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme.

Sedbergh Dog Training, which started in April, meets at the People's Hall and has been running six-week courses leading up to the Kennel Club's bronze certificate.

All ten dogs entered for the award gained their bronze award under the watchful eye of assessor, David Ryan, a police dog instructor.

The bronze award involves basic obedience, dog care and grooming and the Sedbergh Dog Training Club is among the first non-Kennel Club registered clubs in the country to get the certificates under the scheme.

The graduates, who followed a six-week course run by dog trainer, Cicely Robertshaw, of Sedbergh, can now move onto the silver award and ultimately to the gold, but beginners courses are still being held at the club.

Mrs Robertshaw, who runs the classes, said she was delighted with the results.