I am delighted to share that we have been inundated with entries for The Advertiser's first-ever Pet Idol competition - and voting will open next week.

We have received hundreds of entries ranging from pampered pooches to glistening goldfishes and comforting cats.

And we can't wait to share them with you in next week's paper.

All the entries share one thing in common - they are well-loved members of the family that have brought a great deal of joy to their owners over the course of the last 15 months. And they rightly deserve to be celebrated.

In next week's Advertiser, our bumper edition of the newspaper will feature every single entry we have received to ensure every pet gets their well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Though there can only be one winner. And that will decided by you.

On Friday (June 11), voting will open and it will be up to our readers to vote on which treasured pet deserves the title of Pet Idol 2021.

This is a joint competition with our sister newspaper, The Basingstoke Gazette.

The winner will get the esteemed title of Pet Idol 2021 as well as a £50 voucher and an optional photoshoot and story with our newspaper.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to have pets, they become parts of the family. When my mum lost her two dogs, Ollie and Paddy, within the space of a year, it was devastating. The two were fixtures of her household and could always be relied on for a cuddle.

Their time on this earth is shorter than humans but is no less significant or important.

Studies have shown there are numerous benefits of having a pet. They reduce stress levels by 76 per cent and improve mental health by 65 per cent.

Certainly, whenever I visit my grandparents with my two dogs in tow (pictured), it always cheers them up. Even if they leave the bungalow in a bit of a pickle afterwards.

Ahead of next week's Pet Idol special, we would love to hear from you and your pet stories.

Please do write to me at editor@andoveradvertiser.co.uk.

We hope you enjoy voting for Pet Idol 2021.

Katie French, Editor