This year’s Welsh National Sheepdog Trials held at the 2,500 acre Penbedw Estate in Nannerch concluded on Sunday and saw over a 150 competitors taking part.

The three day event has been hailed a huge success despite the showers.

Janine Rees-Denman, secretary of the society from Babell, said this was the first year the trials had been live streamed and was seen by fans all around the world.

The top 15 competitors won £125 each and will now go on to compete in the international sheepdog trials to be held later this year in Ireland.

“The trials don’t come to North Wales every year because it alternates between here and South Wales,” said Mrs Rees-Denman.

“There were 150 competitors this year and there is a real interest in dog trials now.

“People are viewing it a quite a trendy sport and we get an awful lot of spectators.

“We’re expecting 300 visitors for the first two days and 500 for the last day, depending on the weather.

“The Penbedw estate has 2,500 acres and the sheepdog trials are doing very well in Flintshire,” she said.

Gwyn Lightfoot and Mari, from Llandegla, were competing for the last time as 10-year-old Mari retires after this year.

He said: “She got round the course but they are five very strong, fit sheep that were difficult.

“The trouble with a dog Mari’s age is they think they know better than you and that’s how her mother Meg was.

“Mari is a good dog and has the right temperament with the sheep and she makes friends with them.

“But if you push them too hard they start running and it’s very difficult to control them.”

Gwyn was also using a whistle carved and given to him by a Native American.