A Bishop Auckland dog groomer admitted she was lost for words after her four-legged friend was named best in show on the 125th anniversary of Crufts, the world’s largest dog show.

Marie Burns, of Tow Law, and West Highland Terrier Devon beat off stiff competition from nearly 22,000 happy, healthy dogs at Birmingham’s NEC to scoop the coveted prize.

Devon, who is also known as Geordie Girl, was up against six other dogs in Sunday’s final after first winning best of breed before being named best group terrier.

The prestigious dog show first took place back in 1891 where it featured just 2,437 entries with Miss Burns and Devon, who became the first West Highland Terrier to win the prize in 26 years, now etching their names into the Crufts history books.

Miss Burns runs the Top Trimz dog grooming business in Consett and admitted her success would live long in the memory for everyone concerned with Devon.

“I don’t think I can find the words to describe what has just happened,” she said.

“It’s every dog exhibitors dream to be standing here, you just don’t think it’s ever going to happen to you and I don’t think it will sink in until I watch it on tv.

“It was a great experience, nerve-wracking, exciting, just a mixture of emotions but when I was pulled out as best in show, the tears just came.

“The atmosphere at Crufts is just amazing, and the crowd were great.

“Devon is very much a tom boy of a dog, she loves to be with you, she’s very mischievous, she’ll find trouble when you don’t think anything’s there, she makes you laugh. She brings joy into your life.

“To win on the 125th anniversary of Crufts, it’s amazing, you go down in history don’t you?

“I actually train dog groomers in County Durham, all of my clients have been watching and all of my students have been watching.

“I don’t think they will believe what’s going on, they were probably thinking they might watch to get a glimpse of me in the halls – but certainly not winning best in show!”

Miss Burns was joined in the prestigious final by Middlesbrough’s Dale Francis and six-year-old German Spitz Klein Jen after the latter topped the Utility group earlier in the four-day competition.

And while missing out on the top prize, 28-year-old Mr Francis had nothing but praise for the competition.

“It was just an incredible experience,” he said.

“All the dogs in the final were unbelievable so anyone could have won. “There was a phenomenal atmosphere out on the green carpet, and we’re just overjoyed to have been in the final seven.

“This is absolutely amazing, incredible. It’s even more special because she had puppies five months ago and they lose all their hair.

“We were absolutely dreading it, we weren’t even going to enter the competition and we never imagined she could recover in time.

“But she won for the second time and it’s special because I’m glad the breed, the German Spitz Klein is getting a platform now and the recognition it deserves.”