Man's best friends were in top form as they took to the parade ring to show off their skills.

Hundreds of dogs of all shapes and sizes were put through their paces in the Scruffs dog show in Keswick's Fitz Park yesterday.

The dogs - and their owners - competed for a wide variety of prizes, ranging from good behaviour and appearance to their ability to catch biscuits.

Around 500 animals took part in the event, organised by Keswick Town Council, for the third year running.

One of the people behind it was Tony Lywood, a member of the town council who also represents Keswick on Allerdale Borough Council.

He said: "It was the brainchild of a man who came up with it in a pub who thought we were not as stuffy as people are down south so we should put a show on and call it Scruffs instead of Crufts."

He added: "People just love dogs."

The Mayor of Keswick Paul Titley acted as MC for the event and brought dogs into the centre of a ring to compete for their prizes. He did this under the alias Dr Dog.

One of the people he presented a prize to was Charmain (corr) Hamill, 48, from Harrington, who had taken her four-month-old English cocker Islay to the event, where she took the best puppy title.

"It has been a good event, it is really good fun and good for the dogs as well. She was supposed to just sit there but instead she lay down, she is good at lying down."

Another woman who took a dog along was was Lizzie Kelley (corr) from Cockermouth. Her pet Buzz, a three-year-old Patterdale terrier took part with her in the happiest dog and owner category as well as the scruffiest dog contest.

She said: "He is a rescue dog and basically I am just trying to get him used to being around other dogs."

Lizzie was disappointed though that a recent visit to a farm had seen a man there groom her pet, ruining his chances for success in the scruffy dog section.

Neil McDowall, 45, of Stanwix, Carlisle, had brough along his cross breed Scruff who is two-years-old. He joked that the animal was a "Yorkie-Poo-Jack".

He said: "This is a bit of fun, it is nice to do something different and let's face it he would not stand a chance at a proper dog show."