A DOG trainer from Okehampton and two of her canine companions will represent Great Britain at the 2015 IFCS World Agility Championships in Italy this week.

Lauren Langman qualified to represent her country at the championships with her border collies Tiki and Fiji at an event in September 2014.

The head trainer of Devon Dogs at East Bowerland Farm near Okehampton, Lauren competes in agility at level seven, the highest rank of competition in the British agility arena, and has previously represented Team GB at the World Agility Championships.

She has had great success in competitions in recent years, including victory with Fiji at the prestigious Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes finals in London in 2014.

The 2015 world championships take place this week in Voghera and Lauren will be up against stiff opposition from across the globe, including the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia and several European countries.

Lauren said it was a pleasant surprise to qualify two dogs for the national team at the same championships. It will be the first time that she has taken dogs abroad to compete.

'It is amazing to be representing Great Britain. They sent us a Team GB video and it gave me goosebumps. Only a few people in the country get to represent Team GB so it is quite the honour,' said Lauren.

'It is a real treat, but there is pressure too.

'I quite enjoy that pressure. It shows that it means something and adds to the hype. I'd say I prefer competing when it's such high stakes. It really means something to me.

'The idea of going to compete in the World Agility Championships in Italy is really exciting but I have to remember it's not just about prosecco and pizza! I have to stay focused.'

Lauren said Tiki and Fiji had had a good season of competing so far.

'We've been travelling round a lot. I get a massive buzz from competing.

'We recently competed at both the Olympia agility finals and Crufts.

'We had some great results but at both events some minor errors cost us.

'We recently got a Kennel Club Agility Championship certificate from a big event, which was a big deal.

'The season is going well and we have some dogs who could potentially do really well next year too.

'Hopefully in a week or so we will be able to have our picture in the paper again with some nice new medals!'