MR PIPPIN the poodle has a growing fan club after he became a star of Crufts without even winning a top prize.

The miniature poodle aged six took second place in the Good Citizen class and also competed with an American teenager in the show's International Junior Dog Handling Competition after the dog she should have shown threw a wobbly.

Proud owner Celia Bell from Devizes said: "We had a lovely time. So many people seemed to know Mr Pippin because of social media and we are known for being colour co-ordinated in purple. Even his poo bags are purple. Loads of people came up to see us and he just loved being centre of attention."

Young competitors in the final of the dog handling have to compete with an unknown dog but the you teenage American found herself with a dog that refused to perform. Miss Bell, 70, said: "I could see what was happening and I ran and got Mr Pippin, who was due just to be just a swap dog for the class, and he took over and behaved beautifully for her."

Miss Bell, who originally bought Mr Pippin just as company but has gone on to have a whole new life thanks to his prowess at agility as well as obedience, has also been asked to feature in a canine magazine to encourage other novices who are considering taking up showing.

She said: "We have a very busy time coming up with shows but we are both loving it."