Dogs will have their day on Sunday, June 22, as the RSPCA’s East Kent Animal Centre stages its first dog show and open day.

It will take place at the centre in Queensdown Road, Woodchurch, near Birchington, from 10am with show judging from 11am.

Owners of rescue dogs, crossbreeds and pedigrees, are especially urged to participate as the show includes a heat of the RSPCA Dog of the Year.

This will be one of 60 heats across England and Wales and animals will be judged for their general condition, overall appearance and character.

Dogs entered do not have to have come from the RSPCA and there will be rosettes for the first three places with the winner going on to the regional final.

Other classes will select the best young handler for children of 14 and over, most beautiful bitch, most handsome dog, vintage (dogs of eight years plus), best puppy aged six to 18 months, judges’ favourite, the best adult handler, dog with the waggiest tail, dog with the most appealing eyes, best rescue dog and best in show.

The judges will include radio personality Barbara Sturgeon and Suzy Gale, a staunch and active animal champion and wife of North Thanet MP Roger Gale.

There will be stalls and sideshows, a barbecue and refreshments with representatives from the local staffordshire bull terrier rescue and The Greyhound Trust present.

RSPCA centre manager Andrew Kirby has three rescue dogs himself, Rusty, Badger and Billy. He said: “We would like to invite everyone to come and have a look at our animal centre.

“We will be raising funds for the next part of the project to include kennels for which we have a £100,000 target. We have a good part of this raised but need to really get going as there are many dogs that would benefit in Thanet.”