A CRUFTS winner has lost her licence to use a field in Salterforth for dog agility training because the parish council wants the land for allotments - but says she is negotiating with the council about renting part of the site.

Helen Garner and supporters appealed to a recent meeting of Pendle Council's West Craven Committee to do what it could to reverse a decision of Pendle Council to end a licence allowing her carry out dog training on land at Kelbrook Road.

Debbie Richardson, speaking for Ms Garner, said she had been given six weeks notice and claimed that no attempt had been to contact her about use of the field. It was untrue, she said that the land was not used.

"Helen works full time, so she uses it in the evenings to train her dogs in agility and spends most weekends, when she is not competing, maintaining the land. She has a Crufts winner and is currently training a younger dog who will hopefully one day go to Crufts. If Helen lost this facility, she would have to go to Harrogate for training," she said.

Ms Richardson added that a number of Helen's friends joined her for agility training, an 'excellent exercise for dogs and owners, both mentally and physically'.

"During the pandemic, when we have been allowed to do so, it has been a lifeline to us in what has been a very isolating, lonely period," she said.

A Polytunnel means training can continue in the winter, and all equipment is locked away.

But, at its meeting last week, Salterforth Parish Council restated its wish to use the land for allotments.

Philip Mousdale, Pendle Borough Council’s Corporate Director said: “We can confirm that Pendle Borough Council has decided not to extend the licence beyond March 31 for the land at Kelbrook Road, so from the end of this month it can no longer be used as a dog exercising area.

“Salterforth Parish Council requested that this land be used for allotments two years ago and they reaffirmed this request at their parish council meeting on March 15.

“The land will be transferred to the parish council for them to use, in line with their request.”

Ms Garner said: "Following the decision by Salterforth Parish Council that they would like to continue with the transfer of the land, I am now in discussion with the parish council about renting part of the land for dog agility training."