Calling all star pets! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Calling all star pets!

TODAY is the launch of the Swindon Advertiser's Pet Idol 2005 competition for the owners of all kinds of pets from Sea Monkeys to Llamas.

We are looking for pets that have the X Factor, that star quality that makes them stand out from the pack.

Whether it is a pampered pooch, marvellous moggy, fabulous fish or a perfect parakeet, we want to hear from you.

All entries will appear in a special supplement and readers will be able to vote for their favourite.

All the money raised from votes will go to the Swindon and District Animal Haven in Wootton Bassett, which takes in pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits and also farm animals.

John Warwick, co-founder of the sanctuary, said: "It is marvellous that the money is coming to the animal sanctuary.

"We are a self-funded sanctuary, run by a team of volunteers so we have to go out and earn the money we want to spend."

At the moment, the animal sanctuary is looking for homes for a number of battery hens that have been rescued. As long as people can prove to us they can offer the animals a warm and loving home then we welcome them," said Mr Warwick.

The winning pet will receive a year's supply of pet food, a digital camera, a pet-friendly holiday, a 40 x 40cm colour canvas print of their pet and a pile of other goodies.

The second place winner will receive six months' supply of pet food and third prize winner will be three months' supply.

The pet food is being supplied by Butchers, the camera by Catalus and the holiday by Weststar Holidays.

The colour print and other goodies will be supplied by Simplyicons.

To enter our competition, fill in the form in today's Swindon Advertiser and send it in with a picture, taken within the last 12 months, to Pet Idol competition, Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE.

Or if you have digital pictures, enter online on our website, www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/wiltshire/leisure/comps/petidol.html

The closing date for entries is October 3 and the supplement will be published later that month.

Normal Newsquest rules apply.

Prizes

This year's winner of Pet Idol can look forward to a host of treats that the whole family can enjoy.

The winner and their owners can enjoy a week-long holiday in Cornwall at a pet-friendly holiday park courtesy of Weststar Holidays.

To help capture all those magic holiday moments, they will also receive an Olympus C-310 digital camera from Catalus, and to make sure the winner never goes hungry, a year's supply of pet food, courtesy of Butchers.

The winner will also receive a 40 x 40cm colour canvas print of their pet's photograph, a t-shirt, mug and a pet placemat from Simplyicons.

The second prize winner will receive a six-month supply of pet food, and the third prize winner will receive a three-month supply of pet food, all courtesy of Butchers.