ILKLEY Carnival has added a four-legged feature to its May Day event line-up.

Hoping to top last year’s event, which raised over £14k for local causes, the 2015 fantasy and fiction themed day will see its first ever fun dog show on the carnival showground on Monday, May 4.

The Ilkley Carnival Fun Dog Show will welcome all willing owners with their pedigree and non-pedigree dogs. There will be 14 classes including Happiest Dog/Bitch, Best Trick, Best Look-a-Like for the dog that looks most like its owner and finally the Best in Show.

The classes will be judged by Mrs Wendy Lacy, of Daleander Large Munsterlanders. Wendy, who is the training and puppy co-ordinator for the Large Munsterlander Club, has competed in champion shows, field trials and working tests for the last 20 years.

“Ilkley Carnival has got a great reputation for being an entirely volunteer run, community focused event and I am delighted to be involved in its first fun dog show. I will be looking for a good team partnership between the dog and the owner, making for a happy, healthy, well balanced family pet,” Wendy said.

“Anyone can enter on the day with dogs that are over six months old. Prizes will be given and class winners can compete in the final line-up for the ‘Best in Show’.”

Prizes, rosettes and food have been kindly donated by local companies Cobbydog and Jollyes Pet Supermarket in Keighley and a representative from Ilkley’s Ashlands Veterinary Practice will also be in attendance.

Ilkley Carnival committee chairman, Andrew Stacey, said: “We are really excited about introducing the carnival’s first ever fun dog show and expect it to be a great crowd pleaser and another reason to follow the parade into the Denton Road carnival field to enjoy a full afternoon of entertainment that promises to have something for everyone!”

Entries will be taken on the day from noon in the tent next to the Dog Show Ring. Judging starts at 1pm. Each class entry is £2 per dog.

Classes are: 1 Pedigree Puppy (Dog) 6 - 12 months; 2 Pedigree Puppy (Bitch) 6 - 12 months; 3 Non- Pedigree Puppy (Dog) 6 - 12 months; 4 Non-Pedigree Puppy (Bitch) 6 - 12 months; 5 Pedigree Dog 12 months - 7 years; 6 Pedigree Bitch 12 months - 7 years; 7 Non-Pedigree Dog 12 months - 7 years; 8 Non-Pedigree Bitch 12 months - 7 years; 9 Pedigree Dog or Bitch 7 years or over; 10 Non-Pedigree Dog or Bitch 7 years or over; 11 Happiest Dog (happy expression with waggiest tail); 12 Happiest Bitch (happy expression with waggiest tail); 13 Best Trick; 14 Best Look-a-Like (the dog or bitch who looks most like owner). Each class winner is entitled to enter the final line-up to compete for Best in Show.

Four local schools will be the primary beneficiaries of this year’ carnival. After an online application process the committee voted in favour of All Saints Primary School, Ben Rhydding Pre School Playgroup, Ilkley Pre School Playgroup and Ben Rhydding Primary School. With main sponsor Kashmiri Aroma backing the Carnival again this year, half of the profits will go to the ‘schools collective’ while the remaining half will be shared amongst those who volunteer on the day.

For more information go to ilkleycarnival.org or follow @IlkleyCarnival on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest updates.