ANIMAL lovers have deluged the Swindon Advertiser with entries to Pet Idol 09.

More than 300 people have submitted pictures of their pets in a bid to win the prestigious competition.

The record number of entries means competition will be fiercer than ever when the contest goes to a public vote.

The competition closed yesterday and a supplement featuring the pets will appear in the Adver on Thursday, August 20.

Readers will then be given a chance to vote for their favourite pet.

Adver newspaper sales manager Rachael Youd said: “This year has seen some great entries.

“We have seen everything from hamsters to birds to other household pets, like cats and dogs.

“I am sure we have seen every breed being entered too.”

The winning animal will be crowned Pet Idol 09 and will receive £200 of vouchers from PetShed, in Hay Lane, Wroughton.

Dave Taylor, of Kingsdown, entered his five-month-old golden labrador Marley on behalf of his 13-year-old daughter Lauren.

He said: “My daughter spends a lot of time with Marley and idolises him.

“Whenever there is a competition for pets we always enter him because he is the spitting image of the dog from the film Marley And Me.”

Another canine entry was boxer Lola, who was nominated by owner Roz Tomkins.

Roz said: “I entered Lola into the competition because I think she is absolutely gorgeous.

“It is not conventional beauty but she looks like a little squashed up boxer.”

Roz obtained Lola from a rescue centre as she has another 11-year-old boxer dog and wanted a younger one to keep him on his toes.

She said: “Nobody else wanted her but we were delighted to save her.”