Plans are underway in for a museum dedicated to sheepdogs in the north Wales town which held the first trials.

A plaque in the town of Bala commemorates the world's first recorded sheepdog trials in 1873.

The museum would document the town's involvement with the competition through exhibitions and stuffed animals.

The move has been welcomed by the town's residents who hope the museum will bring jobs.

It will also help focus international attention on the town, according to Welsh trialist Maralyn McNought.

"There are people from America, France Holland - all over the world - coming to buy dogs here," she said.

"It's important to bring them to Bala to show them what we can offer them."

Ms McNought recently played host to a delegation from the Pyrenees.

The use of sheep dogs is fast disappearing in the Pyrenees as the motorbike has grown in popularity as a means of herding sheep.

The visitors were guests at Pandy Farm, near Bala, to see how Marilyn McNaught teaches dogs.

She has represented Wales in sheep dog trials in the past and has visited ttavelled abroad to teach about sheep dogs and sheep dog training.

A number of dogs from the Bala area have been exported to the Pyrenees over the years.

Although the town is proud of its canine heritage, the first sheep dog trails were won by a Scotsman.