Grantham Journal's Pet of the Year winners, sponsored by Downtown Garden Centre, receive their prizes

The winners of the Grantham Journal’s inaugural Pet of the Year competition have received their prizes.

Two dogs and a kitten are not unusual visitors to Downtown at Grantham - the pet department welcomes dogs with their owners to browse the extensive pet department, which has everything for your pet and aquatic needs.

The winner of our class one winner - best dog Willow - and the winner of our class four category for cutest photo, Amber were only too pleased to take the chance to have a sniff around but the winner of class two, best cat, Ruby stayed safely in her owner’s arms.

Unfortunately, our class three winner - best other animal - Samuel was unable to make the trip to Downtown but his proud owner Emma Farmer went along to meet Downtown’s head of marketing Claire Parker and Natalie Skins, who runs the pet department.

Downtown Garden Centre proudly sponsored the competition.

Claire said: “It was great to meet Ruby, Willow and Amber who visited our garden centre pet department to collect their prizes and certificates.

“Unfortunately Samuel the goat wasn’t able to make the trip, but we’re loving his modelling from home.

“What a super bunch of lovely pets and well done for your winning ways!”

By complete coincidence, the winning dogs - Amber and Willow - are sisters, both aged 11 months.

Taleecha Hunt is Amber’s owner, while her boyfriend, Thomas Smith, is Willow’s owner. His sister Andrea attended the presentation at Downtown.

Thomas said: “We were really happy when we found out they had both won. They’re the same breed but they have totally different personalities.

“Amber is always doing funny things.”

Her cute photo shows Amber enjoying a bubble bath, which she regularly enjoys according to Taleecha.

Ruby the kitten’s owner Alison was equally pleased to discover her lovely moggy had taken top spot.

“I obviously think she’s cute,” said Alison. “But for her to win was really surprising.

“I absolutely love her to bits.”

Each pet received a rosette and a giftcard to spend at Downtown. Alison plans to treat Ruby to a cat scratching tree.

Samuel the goat’s owner Emma, meanwhile, might have a little more trouble spending her giftcard on her unusual pet.

“I was really happy when I found out Samuel had won his category,” said Emma.

The runners-up also received rosettes.