Digger collars top prize

WINNER... Matt Collins with Digger and girl friend Rachael Lancashire with Pudding

A PRIZE-WINNING pooch from Oldham was given a taste of the high life after winning a pampering day in a national competition.

Digger, a one-year-old Jack Russell, was one of 25 dogs across the UK to scoop top spot in the Winalot Family Moments competition.

Dog owners were asked to send a picture of their pet and explain why they were such an important member of the family.

Digger’s owners Matt Collins (22) and girl friend Rachael Lancashire (22), of Rochdale Road, High Crompton, sent in a photo of Digger along with a description of his high jinks.

Matt, a fishmonger at Asda in Shaw, said: “We wrote about how Digger makes us laugh with the little things he does.

“During walks at Hollingworth Lake, he loves nothing more jumping in for a swim and it takes ages for him to come out!

“We have to stand on the bank and bribe him out with doggy treats.

“We never thought we’d win.”

As part of the top 25, the couple took part in a photo shoot with award-winning wildlife photographer Andy Rouse.

The couple’s other pet, three-year-old bulldog Pudding joined them in the photo shoot.

The dogs were also treated to a pampering day in London and the photos were displayed in London’s Getty Images Gallery.