A woman who regularly appears at UK mushing events has said Siberian husky dogs are more intelligent than many people may think.

Shirley Deakin, who has raced in Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain (SHCGB) events among others in recent years, said her animals are able to open fridges and switch lights on.

"If you’re not careful they’ll dig tunnels, which is why I have a paved yard," she remarked.

Ms Deakin’s eight-strong Snowrush team races at meetings in Scotland, the Welsh mountains and the New Forest.

Speaking to the South Yorkshire Times about her passion for mushing, the 52-year-old said the sport is her life.

"Weekends are a huge social thing. I’ve made many friends as we’ve all got one main interest in common," she said.

Organisations such as the SHCGB, the Sled Dog Association of Scotland and British Siberian Husky Racing Championships hold races and events throughout the year.

Competitors can choose to race using a dog scooter or hook their animals up to a sled using a dog harness.