WELLAND schoolgirl Kate Smith and her Jack Russell terrier, Jolly, have won a national agility championship after achieving success at Crufts.

Kate, a 15-year-old pupil of Hanley Castle High School, is now the top under-16s handler in the country.

She won her class at Crufts and went on to win the Junior (12 and over) Supa Dog Agility Championship at Hickstead.

Besides winning the championship with Jolly, Kate (pictured) also took fifth prize with Bramble, an eight-year-old flat-coated retriever.

Kate, who came home with six trophies, one medal and 12 rosettes, said: "I was nervous waiting outside the ring but as soon as we were inside I just concentrated on what I was doing."

She began training Jolly in June 1997, soon after getting him from the National Canine Defence League kennels at Wickhamford.