FORMER supermodel Jodie Kidd, aged 33, has graced the covers of magazines around the world with her statuesque good looks.

Naturally competitive and sporty, she’s also parachuted from helicopters, bungee-jumped, and taken part in high-speed motor racing challenges – but she confesses that the thrill of motherhood beats it all.

“It’s the most scary, brilliant, exhilarating experience I’ve ever had,” says Kidd, who lives with her partner of two years, Argentine polo player, Andrea Vianini, 46.

“It beats everything I’ve ever done by a mile and Andrea and I feel very lucky and blessed.

“Motherhood has definitely changed me as a person. I’m so much more relaxed and calm and I have a patience that I never had before.”

This sense of calm is reflected in her home, which is homely, rather than grand, and her love of the country and animals is apparent.

“I love all animals, but particularly dogs and horses,”

says Kidd, who launched a Paws In Places campaign by dog food company, Cesar, which identified Brighton as the most dog-friendly place in Britain and highlights other areas which are welcoming to pets.

As part of the campaign, she recently posed with her pet Jack Russell, Dooby, in shots replicating scenes from the Oscar-winning French film, The Artist, which depicted a Hollywood star and his faithful hound.

“I love going out with my dogs and walking them is fine but often when you want to stop and enjoy something to eat or a drink it can be hard to find establishments which welcome them,” she says.

“This was such a great idea to identify places where they’re relaxed about pets who are, to most people, members of the family whom you don’t necessarily want to leave alone at home when you go out.”

* Brighton has been voted winner of Cesar’s hunt for Britain’s most dog-friendly place.

See facebook.com/cesarpaws inplaces for details.