HARDY hounds who hail from the frozen wastes of Siberia descended on a North Yorkshire forest at the weekend for a major husky dog racing event.

Cropton Forest, near Pickering, was playing host to the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain's two-day championship event, which was organised by husky racer Alistair Spowart, who lives in Moor Monkton, near York.

Over Saturday and Sunday, 83 entrants took on a 3.8-mile course through the rugged terrain driving specially designed wheeled rigs pulled by teams of six, four, three or two dogs.

Hundreds of spectators turned out to watch the races, which were open to all pure-bred sled dogs and mainly featured Siberian huskies as well as some Alaskan malamutes - a larger and stronger breed, which is not as fast.

The event, which had the backing of the National Parks and the Forestry Commission, was sponsored by local dog food manufacturer, Burgess Supa-Feeds, based in nearby Thornton-le-Dale

Mr Spowart, who started racing four years ago, ran a team of six young huskies in the race and his wife Nicky ran an older team of four.

He said: "We were absolutely delighted with the event. People came from all over the country despite there being two other major races on elsewhere.

"It was a bit warm for the dogs - the colder the weather the better they run - but it was a great two days."

Updated: 08:47 Monday, November 19, 2001