A dog handler was disappointed after bad luck and an incorrect whistle ruined her chance of glory on national television.

Alison Salisbury, from Banks Lane, Riddlesden, and her border collie, Astra Sweep, were chosen to represent the North in this year's One Man and His Dog.

The competition, which was held at Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, in July, was broadcast on BBC2 over the Christmas period.

Three teams of three -- from the South and West, the North, and Europe -- competed with celebrity captains for the coveted title, in a special one-off edition of the long-running programme.

Alison, who was chosen as the North's female competitor, was unhappy with her performance.

"It was a combination of everything really. There were some very difficult sheep and I gave him a wrong whistle towards the end."

Alison said the television cameras made the competition more tense than other events.

"It is quite nerve-racking with the cameras and they stick a microphone on you. And it was nerve-racking because I was first to go," she added.

"But it's more a bit of fun now rather than being serious."

She added it was a pleasant experience to compete against a team from the continent, who were allowed to take part for the first time. The European team took the title with the northern team coming in third.

Astra Sweep is no stranger to the limelight after an appearance on Heartbeat.

The pair also took part in the English Sheepdog Trials, at Bolton Abbey, in August, which Alison and her husband, Keith, helped to organise.