SOUTHAMPTON’S own miniature Crufts event saw hundreds turn out for the second annual dog show and family fun day.

As well as bouncy castles, face painting and a BBQ, there were rides from Rocket the Welsh pony, food stalls, Hampshire Hounds dog rescue, Slimming World, PSW dog walking services as well as star of the show Dolly Sweet Desire – a 2015 Crufts champ otherwise known as Roxy – who turned up to show the amateurs how it’s done. With at least ten entries in all ten classes of the dog show there was plenty of competition, with top prizes from Romsey Saddlery for the winners.

Best in show went to two year old deer hound saluki Neil, owned by Teresa Ridout, with reserve going to Esmerelda the bull terrier, owned by Rita Sinclair – all judged by experts Jo Lyle and Becki Row.

Money from the pony rides and the dog show is going towards West Country Bullie Walks, a bull terrier rescue centre, with any other funds raised going towards helping keep St James Park in Shirley open.

Organiser Becky Klammer said: “It’s been really really busy – we’re quite shocked at the turnout and the dog show is hugely popular.

“We brought Rocket along because it’s lovely for local children who perhaps can’t experience things like horse riding because it’s so expensive – it’s nice for them to have a stroke and sit on a horse.”