A dog 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 in the contest while Jack was awarded a diploma of merit.

Mr Partiss, 43, 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 said: "The dogs have got more chance of being knocked out than of winning. It's a very high standard."

He was delighted to have three of his own dogs in the competition this year. Another of the dogs taking part, Poppy, was one he had bred and sold to a friend.

Although Mr Partiss has qualified for the championships before, this was the first time he'd done so well.

"It's the best year so far," he said. "Usually to get one dog in the championships is an achievement, so to get three dogs out of 35 is amazing."

He added that he was particularly grateful for the support he has received from Kingfisher Vets in Martock and Lord Cameron of Dillington Estate in Somerset.

Mr Partiss, who lives in Ilminster, Somerset, explained that he originally started working with cocker spaniels as a hobby, but as friends started asking him for help and advice it gradually grew into a full-time job.

He now offers obedience training for all breeds of dogs, as well as gundog training and breeding, through his dog school, Tip Top Dogs.

The trainer now has his sights set on next year's Great British Cocker Championships, which are due to be hosted by the Queen at her Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

If Mr Partiss does as well next year, he hopes he will be awarded a prize by the Queen herself.