A CRUFTS competitor helped to make a bus journey one to remember for a group of schoolchildren.

Llanarmon-yn-Ial school bus driver John Lloyd is an expert breeder of Newfoundland dogs and took Mabel with him, to the delight of the youngsters from Ysgol Bro Famau.

Mabel, who along with her mother Flo was placed at the world-famous competition in Birmingham earlier this month, was on fine form.

John, 53, and his wife Cath, breed the dogs and said he wanted the children to see properly-bred dogs close-up, after recent media stories about puppy farms.

He said: “There is a lot of focus about the bad things going on, and that is absolutely right. Where dogs are mistreated that should be highlighted.

“But there are plenty of good breeders out there. Many people go in to buying a dog without really knowing what it involves and they don’t know where to look for dogs.

“The best place to look is www.the-kennel-club.org.uk, and there is a new thing called the accredited breeders scheme which people can find on the site.”

As well as Mabel and Flo, John also took another dog, Delilah, to Crufts.

John has had Newfoundlands for 30 years, but has only been showing them for 11 months.

He said: “It was fantastic to go to Crufts and to be placed. I’m over the moon.

“When I'm driving the bus and the children hear about the dogs they’re always asking me about them so I thought I’d give them the chance to see for themselves.”