A sheepdog video made by a hard-up shepherd is going on sale across the country after proving to be an unusual hit.

David Kennard made the film of a year in the life on his north Devon farm to boost his flagging business.

He hoped to sell about 3,000 copies of The Year of the Working Sheepdog, enough to recover his �15,000 costs.

But the video has sold 20,000 copies just in the West Country and has now been taken up by a national distribution company.

Sheepdog adventures

The video follows sheepdogs Greg, Swift, Gail and Ernie as they work the 650-acres of Borough Farm, near Woolacombe.

The film follows the dogs' progress as they rescue sheep from cliff tops during a storm and shows the challenges of lambing season.

Mr Kennard, 36, said: "It is about the interaction between dog, sheep, shepherd and farming.

"It shows what I value about this way of life."

He admitted the decision to diversify into filming was a gamble.

The film "works on different levels"

"It was brought on by necessity," he said.

"I had to look to other ways of earning some money."

The film script, written by Mr Kennard, is narrated by All Creatures Great and Small star Christopher Timothy.

Mr Kennard's wife Debbie, a part-time nurse, and their three young children also feature in the video.

"I was pleased that the film works on different levels," he said.

"Some people like the farming, the way of life and the countryside.

"Others want to know about the dogs and children also enjoyed watching it," he said.

The video goes on national release on Monday.