SCHNAUZER Radley and his 10-year-old owner Campbell Hanley won Best in Show at the annual Scruffs event held at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

The Royal Wootton Bassett pair were delighted to taste success at the event, beating hundreds of other entrants.

Campbell said: “We are delighted to win as this was the first dog show that I have entered. I think the Schnauzer breed is a great family pet and I’d like to say a big thank you to those who picked us as best in show.”

Campbell also won the event’s young handler award. As well as receiving a winning rosette and a goodie bag, Campbell had the chance to adopt an animal from the park, and he picked a Mandarin duck.

Other categories at the event, billed as a dog show with a difference, included best biscuit catcher, best hurdler, waggiest tail and golden oldie.

Reggie Heyworth, Cotswold Wildlife Park’s managing director, said: “There was a time, back in the 1970s, when the Zoo Federation, our industry body, banned dogs from all its member zoos. We resigned rather that ban dogs. My father, the park’s founder, was never without his dog at heel.

“We’ve always found dogs and dog owners to be our most wildlife-friendly visitors, for obvious reasons.”

The event supported Dogs for the Disabled and raised £200 for the Banbury charity.

Puppy-in-training Rubix and assistance dog Caddie, from Dogs for the Disabled, attended the event, offering support to those taking part.

The specially trained dogs offer freedom and independence to children and adults with physical disabilities and children with autism.

The charity relies on donations from the public and support from volunteers with it needing to raise £3m each year to survive.

If anyone would like to donate to the charity or volunteer for them, visit www.dogsforthedisabled.org

To find out more about events at the wildlife park visit www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk