HUSKY-fanatic Brian House is bringing a taste of Siberia to a York suburb.

Brian, 64, who lives off Thanet Road, walks his beloved Russian dogs - Ice, Varna and Lenka - five times a day and has amassed a huge collection of husky memorabilia.

Brian, who owns the Atlanta Gym at Clifton Moor, has three Kovalska Siberian huskies which he races in forests across Yorkshire during the winter months. His son, Paul, also owns two of the dogs.

"I'm absolutely crackers about huskies," Brian said.

"People think they are dangerous and will eat them, but they are not like that. They love humans more than animals. People come up to me all the time to stroke them when I'm out walking.

"I leave bones in my front garden and tell my postman that's what happened to the last one who delivered our letters!"

Brian, who also has a Jack Russell and five cats, has collected husky memorabilia from all over the world, including T-shirts, plates and crockery.

He walks the dogs five times a day to keep them fit for the racing season.

"My huskies love catching mice, moles and rats," he said.

"Once they spot one, they won't stop until it's caught."

Updated: 10:38 Wednesday, June 11, 2003