ALL the mountain rescue dogs in England are heading south for a weekend in Devon.

Organised by HM Coastguard and the Search and Rescue Dog Association it is the first time a training course for the dogs has been hosted in Devon.

James Taylor-Short of SARDA and HM Coastguard said: "About 25 dogs plus puppies in training will be here.

"Some are coming from Keswick and Kendal up in Cumbria, others from north Yorkshire. Every SARDA team has been invited and all will be sending dogs."

The dogs will be at Torrington, where they will be training with sheep and they will also be taking a ride in the RAF search and rescue helicopter from Chivenor.

Mr Taylor-Short said: "We will be using areas for training like Hartland Point to Spekes Mills, Knapp House and Northam Burrows with the kind permission of the land owners.

"Rescue 169, the helicopter from Barnstaple, will be doing some training on the Saturday and taking some of the younger dogs for their first ride in the air."

Also taking part will be the Westward Ho! based trainee rescue dog called Poppy and mountain rescue dogs Storm and Rusty from the Exmoor mountain rescue group and based in Barnstaple.

The course runs from Friday to the evening of Sunday and those out in the countryside who may meet the dogs and their handlers are asked to ignore the dogs.

Mr Taylor-Smith said: "The dogs get very focused so I would ask walkers not to break that concentration."