Who'll be Welsh Paw-liament dog of the year?

Voters are being urged to put “pawlitical” rivalries aside and choose their favourite canine candidate in the first Senedd Dog of the Year competition.

Five Members of the Senedd (MS) are taking part in the event at Britannia Park, Cardiff, on 23 May.

The Welsh event follows in the footsteps of the Westminster Dog of the Year and Holyrood Dog of the Year competitions.

Organised jointly by The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, it aims to celebrate the “unique bond between dogs and their owners”, promote responsible ownership and encouraging the discussion of canine welfare issues.

The contenders, in no "pawticular" order, are:

• Jane Dodds, Lib Dem, Mid and West Wales, and greyhound Wanda

• Jack Sargeant, Labour, Alyn and Deeside, and cavalier King Charles spaniel Coco

• James Evans, Conservative, Brecon and Radnorshire, and cocker spaniel Bonnie

• Janet Finch-Saunders, Conservative, Aberconwy, and Welsh collie Alfie

• Darren Millar, Conservative, Clwyd West, and whippet Blue

There is a public online vote, and judges on the day will also assess the entrants on their "good dog deeds and winning personalities".