A deputation from the Pyrenees is due to arrive in north Wales to discover the craft of sheep dog training.

The use of sheep dogs is fast disappearing in the Pyrenees as the motorbike has grown in popularity to collect sheep.

Rural depopulation has also played a part in the decline of dog use.

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

Mrs McNaught has presented Wales in sheep dog trials in the past and has visited the Pyrenees to teach about sheep dogs and sheep dog training.

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

The visit has been organised by Cymad who run a European Leader Two project in Gwynedd.

June Jones of Cymad said she hoped to establish Bala as a centre of excellence for sheep dog training which could give a tourism boost to the area.

The first official sheep dog trial ever was held near Bala over 100 years ago.