CELEBRITY chef Stacie Stewart was one of the judges at a regional canine contest over the weekend.

She was at the final of the North-East Dog Competition at Roker in Sunderland on Saturday.

The contest was set up by the North East HUB on the back of Crufts in March.

Dog owners were asked to submit their entries on Facebook and a description of why their dog should win.

The voting then opened to the public to vote for their favourite pooches with six dogs shortlisted.

Organiser by Donna Petch, 31, of Roker, said: “We have had lots of entries.

“Our judges had a tough decision.”

Bailey, the boxer dog, owned by Lesley Smith, from Lanchester, County Durham, was the overall winner.

Her prize was a £150 pet photography session, a photo frame and a designer hamper of doggie treats.