MORE than 60 dogs posed for the cameras as a cutest dog contest got underway. St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham City, launched the search for a canine cutie over the weekend.

Pooches will battle it out for the title with online voting due to open on Friday and the winner crowned at the hospice’s Paws For A Cause fund raising dog walk on October 7.

The winner will be rewarded with a professional photo shoot donated by Alan Clarke Photography, of Durham.

Among the first to put their pets forward was Gemma Luke, of Sacriston, with her 14-week-old springer spaniel Poppy.

She said: "I’ve done fundraising for the hospice in the past so when I found out about Paws for a Cause and the Cutest Dog Contest I thought it would be the perfect event for me.

"I think the contest is fantastic and I’m really looking forward to the walk."

Laura Barker, from St Cuthbert’s, added: "Last year was the first time we had run this contest and, judging by the response to both years', there are a lot of proud pet owners in Durham.

"The Cutest Dog Contest and Paws for a Cause are two very fun ways to touch the lives of people at St Cuthbert’s Hospice."

Voting takes place until Friday, September 28 at www.alanclarkephotography.co.uk .

Paws for a Cause takes place in Houghall Woods in Durham, with either a 1.5-mile of three mile route round the woods.

Entry for the dog walk is now open and is £10 per dog. To register, please visit www.stcuthbertshospice.com or call 0191 386 1170.