ANIMAL lovers across Hampshire will have the chance to celebrate their heroic companions in a ceremony recognising pets who have helped make a difference to someone’s life.

The Blue Cross Medal is back and offering exceptional pets a moment in the spotlight, from amazing assistance or therapy pets to animals in the services or military.

Now the Southampton charity is appealing for nominations of extra special animals who deserve a medal.

Lara Alford, rehoming centre manager at Southampton Blue Cross, said: “Blue Cross has been caring for pets for more than 100 years and we are still amazed every day by the heart-warming stories we hear about them.

"It’s lovely to be able to recognise these wonderful pets with our medal.”

Last year’s Blue Cross Medal winner was medical detection dog Daisy a labrador retriever who has saved hundreds of lives including her owner’s by detecting cancer.

One of the judges on last year’s Blue Cross Medal panel, Mandy Jones, said: “We had so many fantastic entries last year if we could have given a medal to all of them, we would.”

  • The deadline for entries is Thursday, October 1, to nominate a pet or find out more, visit bluecross.org.uk/medal.