Oscar is top dog

PLUCKY rescue dog, Oscar, a four year-old long haired cross breed terrier, has won the canine Oscar at a fun dog show organised by charity Ashley s Ark. Held at Marshland High School, West Walton, the show attracted 73 hopeful hounds, but it was Oscar,

PLUCKY rescue dog, Oscar, a four year-old long haired cross breed terrier, has won the canine 'Oscar' at a fun dog show organised by charity Ashley's Ark.

Held at Marshland High School, West Walton, the show attracted 73 hopeful hounds, but it was Oscar, owned by West Walton man Jonathon O'Neill, who was judged 'Best Rescued Dog' and overall 'Best in Show'.

Reserve Best in show was Rosie, an Irish wolfhound, which also won Best Bitch.

Ashley's Ark has been set up by the family of Ashley Sammons, who died in June last year, aged 17, and who was a former pupil of Marshland High.

The fun dog show was a 'thank you' to the school which earlier in the year raised more than £1,000 for the charity with a non-uniform day. The school also supported the dog show with a car boot and fete, which raised another £726.46 to be shared between Ashley's Ark and the school's Malawi Fund.

Ashley's mother Dawn Sammons said: "The school has been terrific in its support of Ashley's Ark and so we organised the dog show as a free event to encourage pupils and their parents to come along and celebrate the special bond they have with their pets - something Ashley, himself an animal lover, would have highly approved of."

The next event being organised by Ashley's Ark will be a Silent Auction and Afternoon Tea on August 27, Bank Holiday Monday, at Emneth village hall. For more information, visit www.ashleysark.org