LOCAL breeders of prize-winning Labradors will be rubbing shoulders with royalty at the country’s largest ever street party this summer.

Derek and Lynda Miles of Llanstinan Home Farm, Letterston are renowned breeders of chocolate, black and yellow Labradors, and have won first place in Crufts with all three colours.

They pride themselves in rearing strong, healthy, good-looking dogs with excellent temperaments.

The couple met Nigel Hemming, one of the country’s leading painters of working dogs, at Crufts in 2009, and they commissioned him to paint their home-bred champion Labrador Spencer.

Nigel has since visited Llanstinan on many occasions and painted six other of Derek and Lynda’s dogs. He has also become a good family friend.

Nigel said: “I try to paint pictures, not simply of dogs, but about dogs.”

Derek and Lynda were invited to exhibit some of Nigel’s original paintings of their Labradors at the brand new Kennel Club Dog Art Gallery, which houses the largest collection of dog paintings in Europe.

The exhibition, which runs until July 29, is a celebration of the Labrador, showing the development of the pedigree breed over the years.

Derek and Lynda attended the opening of the exhibition on February 10, along with Nigel, the Duchess of Devonshire and members of the Kennel Club.

“It was fantastic,” said Lynda. “There are some amazing Labrador paintings and our four original paintings are in prime positions.”

To add to that, the painting of their dog Freddie, is on the back of the exhibition brochure.

The couple have also been invited to The Patrons Lunch on June 12 due to their association with the Yellow Labrador Club.

To be held on The Mall in St James’ Park, the lunch will be the largest ever street party to celebrate the Queen’s patronage of more than 600 charities and organisation on the occasion of her 90th birthday.