JACK Russell terrier Milo is a real top dog.

For he has won our first-ever Pet Idol competition to the delight of his 19-year-old owner Elizabeth Townsend.

Legal secretary Elizabeth, of Hawksworth Road, Accrington, said: "He's mischievous but very loveable."

Milo, aged 18 months, was chosen by our judge and sponsor Kevin Horkin, who now hopes to find him some media and TV work through his pet agency.

There was also joy for Kirsty Roberts, 29, of Fielding Street, Rishton, whose Bengal cat Annie was judged the top cat, and for Lorna Wilkinson, 35, whose cockatoo Digger won the miscellaneous pets category.

The competition attracted 144 entries, who were whittled down to a shortlist of nine by our readers.

Editor Mervyn Kay said: "It was a tremendous success and illustrates the pleasure people in Hyndburn get from their pets. We hope to run an even bigger and better competition later this year."