HERE are the contenders in what is sure to be a tense and exciting cat and dog fight in pursuit of ultimate glory.

All of the grooming, exercise and attention has paid off for their owners as these 15 pets are revealed as finalists in the Daily Echo Pet Idol competition.

Together with Totton's Creature Comforts and Aquatic Centre, we have been searching the county for an animal star.

Now more than 3,100 Daily Echo readers who cast their votes have decided that these are the top five pets in the dog, cat, and other animal categories.

Our panel of judges, which includes top animal photographer Richard Harris and pet expert Jeremy Wingate from Creature Comforts and Aquatic Centre, now has the difficult task of selecting the winners in each category. From these our ultimate champion of 2005 will be picked, as well as a second and third place pet.

The overall winner's owner will receive a framed print of their pet, a silver bowl and some pet food. All of the other winners will receive a host of fantastic prizes.

The winners will be revealed in Monday's Daily Echo.

See page 14 of today's Daily Echo for pictures of the top five cats and other pet finalists.