AN AWARD-winning Troon dog owner is preparing for one of her biggest ever challenges as she leads out her country in a major canine event later this year.

Heather Smith is heading to Austria to captain Team Scotland in a Heelwork to Music or Dog Dancing event.

Scotland are competing for the first time in the Open European Championship in September.

And the team were given a huge boost when a Dog Dancing Cabaret and Gala Dinner, held in the Best Western Strathaven Hotel on Sunday, helped raise £1500 towards helping fund the team's travel to Austria.

Heather and three of her dogs, Bearded Collies Gertie and Dare and Bichon Frize Dinky took centre stage by performing some routines in the fundraising event, along with Stewarton woman Penny Mansfield and her Australian Shepherd and Irvine woman Michelle Porter and her Bearded Collie. TV personality Lynn Barber was a guest speaker for the Dogs Trust.

A whole host of auction items were also up for grabs, including a photo shoot and a dog statue.

Heather, who has won three Heelwork to Music titles at Crufts with Bearded Colie Maddie, said: "The fundraising event exceeded our expectations and thanks to everyone for supporting it. The money raised will go a long way towards funding our trip to the European Championships but we plan to organise a few more fundraisers soon."

The team has still to be selected although it is expected Dinky, Dare and Gertie will feature. Trials will be held in March.

Heather is hopeful of helping Team Scotland achieve major success in the event and said: "Competition will be strong. Teams from Russia, the Czech Republic and across Europe, as well as Japan will be taking part. But there are prizes for first, second and third so hopefully Scotland will be on the podium, That would be a great achievement."

Donations towards the European Championships would still be welcome. Log onto www.facebook.com/TeamScotlandOEC2016/ for more details.