THIS year's Bridport and Lyme Regis News’ Pet Idol winner is celebrating the pawsome achievement.

Jasper, the adorable eleven-year-old chihuahua, who lives with his owner in Bridport, has been voted this year’s winner of the annual competition, racking up the most votes.

The pooch was placed top-dog among many entries of other furry friends, colourful birds, scaly pals and all other species entered into our Pet Idol competition.

Emma Gumbrill, Jasper’s owner, said: “He is a great companion to me, I have a condition on the autism spectrum and he comes everywhere with me.”

This year's Pet Idol contest saw a record number of entries across Dorset.

We published pictures of the west Dorset animals vying for the Bridport News Pet Idol title in the News on Thursday, June 23.

Readers submitted forms printed in the News to vote for their favourite, and Jasper triumphed in the close-run competition.

When Jasper was just a year old, he had to undergo operations on his knees due to having luxating patella – also known as ‘wobbly knees,’ a condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location which means he struggles with walking sometimes and needs help using stairs.

This hasn’t stopped the pooch from being a playful pup at heart and enjoying his favourite hobby – running around the house chasing his favourite toy – a ping pong ball.

Emma said: “When he plays with his favourite toys you wouldn’t know he is getting older as he pounces like a puppy.”

She added: “He is a real support to me and I entered him because I think he is very handsome, although now he is 11, he has more grumpy days than he used to as a puppy.”

Emma is delighted with the win of her canine companion and looks forward to treating him.