One of Best Working Cocker Trainers in the South West

A gundog trainer can claim he has some of the best cocker spaniels in the UK after triumphing at an elite gundog competition.

Three of Nigel Partiss' cocker spaniels, Swift, Jack and Midge, qualified to compete in the Kennel Club's Cocker Spaniel Championship this year.

Swift was named third best cocker spaniel in the contest while Jack was awarded a diploma of merit.

Mr Partiss, 43, from Illminster, Somerset, explained that just 35 dogs from around the UK qualify to take part in the championship each year.

"They've got to compete throughout the shooting season and they've got to win so many trials," he said.

The competition, which is held on a different country estate each year, consists of a number of challenging tasks for the gundogs involving live game.

Mr Partiss, who lives in Ilminster, Somerset, explained that he originally started working with cocker spaniels as a hobby, but it gradually grew into a full-time job