ROMANTIC meals and rom-coms are all well and good for Valentine’s Day, but some people prefer the uncomplicated company of their beloved pets.

And as February 14 approaches, The Northern Echo wants to celebrate our readers’ love for their pets with a competition that will fetch the winner a professional pet photography shoot and £75 to spend at thedesignerdogcompany.co.uk.

To enter the competition, go to northernecho.co.uk/loveyourpet

We are looking for adorable snaps of all kinds of pet and the best snaps, whether they be of devoted dogs, cuddlesome cats or romantic rabbits, will then go online for a public vote.

The finalist that steals the public’s heart and wins the most votes will be crowned winner of the Love Your Pet competition.

Northern Echo photographic co-ordinator and competition organiser, Sarah Caldecott, said: “We’re looking for entries featuring all kinds of pets, not just cats and dogs.

“So if you think your parrot or gerbil can melt hearts with a look, then send us a photograph!

“Pet owners often joke that they prefer the company of animals to humans, so now’s the time to get your faithful companion the recognition that he or she deserves – and what better time to do it than in the run up to Valentine’s Day?”

The Love Your Pet competition launches today (Friday, January 22) and will be open for entries until noon on February 4.

Finalists will be chosen by a Northern Echo judging panel and these will go up for a public vote online until noon on February 11. The winner will be announced at northernecho.co.uk later that day.