TWO award winning sisters from West Devon are heading to Crufts this weekend to take part in the Young Kennel Club (YKC) grooming competition.

Maria and Tieryn Clark from Lifton have won many awards in grooming and showing competitions.

The siblings, who attend Launceston College, will both be taking part in the 12 to 16 category for grooming, and in the showing section against all ages with their team of show dogs, who have helped them win many titles.

All competitors in the grooming competition will be given a maximum of two hours to groom their dog, while a judge awards marks for a combination of good presentation and careful handling.

Maria, 12, will be competing with her Dandie Dinmont terrier, Jester, in the breed classes and grooming, and again in the handling section with her Cesky terrier, Balthazar.

Tieryn, 13, will be showing her Foxhound, Libel, and then her Shitsu X Chihuahua, Peekaboo, in the grooming section.

The sisters together own ten dogs, which stay with their aunt Sharon Clark in Holsworthy, who also has her own team of award-winning show dogs.

Sharon said the girls had been taking part in grooming and showing competitions since they were 6 and 7 years old — and had qualified every year.

She said: 'It's very competitive but they have always enjoyed taking part.

'It is a harmless hobby for youngsters — it gives them so much confidence. Tieryn was handling dogs at four but wasn't allowed to compete until six, and Maria started at seven.

'The girls are so passionate about their dogs and competing and they cannot wait until they get to Crufts.'

Their father, Antony Clark, said they 'absolutely love' competing, and their dogs: 'I hope they do well — but then I know they will as they qualify every year.

'A lot of people don't get the chance to compete at Crufts so I think they are very lucky.'

Crufts is taking place from today (Thursday) to Sunday at the NEC in Birmingham.