PROUD pet owners are being offered the chance to feature their furred and feathered friends in a unique virtual charity pet show.

Darlington Rotary is launching a photographic competition for owners to send in a picture of their pets to be judged by award-winning animal photographer, Tracy Kidd.

Entries cost £5 each and all the money raised will go to local charities hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

Tracy, who lives in Darlington, has won many accolades for her animal studies, including a national Kennel Club Photo of the Year for her picture of dogs at work.

First prize for the virtual pet show is an 18x12-inch fine art print of their pet and £100 voucher towards a photoshoot or a photography lesson with Tracy.

The runner-up receives a smaller print and a £50 voucher.

Organiser of the competition, Rotarian Sue Campbell, said: “While we still can’t get out in large groups to dog shows and other events, we thought it would be fun to see what photogenic pets are out there and give animal lovers the chance to help their community.

“It doesn’t matter what the animal is – dogs and cats may be popular, of course, but pictures of any sort of pet will be welcome. However, as organiser, my own lovely dog, Bella, will sadly be barred from winning.”

Entrants are asked to send their pictures by email to pivotatrotary@aol.co.uk along with the name of the pet, what type of animal it is, and the pet owner’s name, address, and phone number.

They need to also put the £5 per photo entry into Rotary’s charity account here referencing ‘pet show’. The competition is for amateur photographers only. There is a no limit to the number of photos anyone enters, and the deadline is August 7, 2020. Winners will be featured in subsequent publicity.

Details are also on the Darlington Rotary Facebook page and Twitter feed @darlrotary.