READERS have been voting in their thousands for their favourites in this year’s fantastic Worcester News Pet Idol competition.

Hundreds of proud pet owners from across the area sent in their entries, all of which were printed in a special supplement in the paper in November.

And you didn’t disappoint them, voting in record numbers for the pets that you thought had the X-factor – with nearly 6,000 votes recorded in total.

Today, we are bringing you the final 11 cats who are in contention for the award this year.

Tomorrow, the top dogs will have their turn in the spotlight and on Wednesday, the top performers in the small furry animals category will be featured.

On Thursday, it will be the turn of the birds and horses you voted as your favourites.

A panel of judges, including Jim Weston, managing director of Just for Pets, editor of your Worcester News Kevin Ward and the newspaper’s promotions manager Sarah Bevan, will pick the winners from each category.

The winners – and, of course, their owners – will then be invited to a special awards ceremony at the store Just for Pets, where this year’s top pet will be crowned Pet Idol 2009.

Worcester News: Baloo
Name: Baloo
Owner: Amanda McConnell
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: Baloo is my name and mischief is my game.


Worcester News: tilly
Name: Tilly
Owner: Carole Robinson
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: A funny, cute, playful rescued cat that loves sleeping on top of the fish tank.


Worcester News: delilah
Name: Delilah
Owner: Rebecca Davies
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: Delilah is a rescue cat with attitude! She loves fun, fuss and, most of all, food!


Worcester News: Smokey
Name: Smokey
Owner: Jenny Hinton
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: A beautiful loving boy, cute and cuddly, with a quirky character and a playful streak.


Worcester News: Mitsy
Name: Mitsy
Owner: Sally Barnes
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: Mitsy is really beautiful and so sweet, she loves chilling outside with her friend Henry the goose.


Worcester News: Squeak
Name: Squeak
Owner: Ms Parry
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: I’m Squeak and I love to sleep. Oh yes, no one will find me!


Worcester News: Simba
Name: Simba
Owner: Ellie Price
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: Simba is such a lovable kitty, with lovely big eyes and beautiful markings.


Worcester News: libby
Name: Libby
Owner: Eileen Walker
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: I have just caught her pinching my sock. She hides them. She will steal anything she can pick up.


Worcester News: oscar
Name: Oscar
Owner: Sarah Wood
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: He is a rescue cat who, despite being old and toothless, is still handsome.


Worcester News: Pru Bear
Name: Pru Bear
Owner: Liza Coates
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: Pru Bear is so naughty and gets up to lots of mischief and always lets you know what she wants.


Worcester News: tiger
Name: Tiger
Owner: Sarah Cook
What makes him/her a Pet Idol?: Tiger is a very loving cat that loves to snuggle and he is very cheeky. He is my best friend!