An attempt to beat the world record to get the largest number of dogs to stay at one time has failed.

The Kennel Club of the UK tried to break the current record, which saw 627 dogs "stay" successfully for a two minute period, at the International Agility Festival at Rockingham Castle in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

A Kennel Club spokesman said: "We narrowly missed the world record. We had 601 dogs that completed the stay but we need 627.

"We did not beat the world record this time but there is always next year. The event shows the relationship between dogs and their owners, it is also about good dog discipline and training.

"We did not beat the record but everyone had a good time."

Competitors from all over the world, as well as local competitors, took part in the challenge.

Now in its ninth year, festival spectators look forward to seeing around 2,500 dogs jumping, weaving and racing their way through a variety of courses in one of the 16 agility rings that will be set up for the weekend.

A number of competitors have also improved their fitness thanks to the Kennel Club's GET FIT WITH FIDO campaign, after recent research found that dog owners are three times more likely to keep in shape than non-pet owners, and a quarter of non-pet owners admit to never exercising, compared to just 12% of dog owners.

More information on the festival can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/agilityfestival.