Pussies Galore! (From Wiltshire Times)

Pussies Galore!

8:45am Tuesday 19th February 2008 in Melksham By James Williams

A SPORTS centre near Melksham welcomed more than 450 cats and their owners on Saturday.

The Bristol and District Cat Show's fifth annual show was held for the second time at the Christie Miller sports centre in Bowerhill.

Show manager Ian Jarvis said he was pleased with the event's attendance.

"Overall there were 452 cats participating," he said.

"The cats are judged against their own colour and sex in different categories: best of breed, best adult, best neuters best kitten and open class.

"Cat shows are very popular. On average there are two shows every weekend in the UK."

One of the event's stars was Willow, a kitten from Broxburn Road in Warminster, who won two first place awards in the open class and the best of breed (Selkirk Rex) categories.

Her owner Liz Blagdon was delighted at her pet's success.

"Willow has only entered one other competition in Weston-super-Mare, and she won that too," she said.

"Because Willow has a long coat she had to be bathed on the Wednesday before the competition."Then on the morning of show the eyes and ears have to be cleaned, and the coat fluffed."

Mrs Blagdon hopes to enjoy even more success next time around.

"I have been going for the past three years. I really love the show," she said.