A CRASH survivor has fulfilled her dream of competing in the world’s most famous dog show.

Lucy Wheelwright was in a car on the A137 with her partner, James Martin, and their two dogs when a car careered on to the wrong side of the road and into theirs.

Lucy was seriously injured in the crash and broke her collarbone, sternum and foot, while James, 30, broke his back and subsequently had to wear a back brace.

Lucy, who is an insurance company rewards analyst, said: “It was really horrific.

“We had to be cut out and the dogs were taken to the emergency vet. I struggled to breathe.

“We spent three days in the hospital and even after three years I’m still receiving treatment to ease my pain.”

The crash happened in January 2017. The driver of the other car admitted driving with excess alcohol, without due care and attention and without insurance.

He was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to complete a community order.

But Lucy, 29, of Temple Pattle, Brantham, had a dream which drove her on through her darkest hours...she wanted to compete at Crufts.

She said working her way up to the show after suffering life-changing injuries in the crash was a challenge.

However, she reaped the rewards when she got to take her three-year-old Miniature American Shepherd Cooper to compete.

Lucy, who has had Cooper since he was a puppy, competed in the Kennel Club Novice Cup Final agility class and said it was a dream come true to win.

She said: “The whole experience was amazing and really great because my dog did really well.

“I’m really proud of him for winning the agility class.

“I actually cried, it was so overwhelming and I was in a shock.

“It still feels like a dream.”

She added her determination to get to Crufts, which was staged at the NEC in Birmingham, helped her to recover from the horrific accident

Lucy said: “I’d done a couple of competitions before the accident, but I really threw myself into it afterwards because I wanted to get to Crufts.

“It really helped with my recovery.

“Luckily the dogs weren’t harmed.

“It was just amazing to be part of the competition after everything we’ve been through.”

She described Cooper as an “absolutely crazy and noisy dog”.

“He just loves being with me and when he’s out on the course he can’t stop barking,” she said.

“He just barks his whole way round. He absolutely loves it.”

About 26,000 dogs took part in the four day event including just over 3,000 from overseas.