A KIDDERMINSTER schoolgirl is celebrating after her rescue cat was crowned the cream of the crop in an annual competition.

Nine-year-old Chloe Powell, of Low Habberley, took 18-month old tabby cat, Bertie, to the Wyvern Cat Show in Kings Heath, near Birmingham.

The moggy, which was re-homed by the Bewdley branch of the Celia Hammond Animal Trust last summer, won five first prizes and best in show for the non-pedigree category.

Wyvern Cat Club, which was set up in 1982 for cat lovers in and around Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucester-shire, ran the contest, which also had categories for pedigree cats, earlier this month.

Bertie was rescued last year by the Celia Hammond Animal Trust, which cares for lost, unwanted and abused cats and dogs and helps to find them new homes.

Chloe, who is a pupil at Wribbenhall Middle School, entered Bertie in the contest last year and her mother, Julia, said she was "very happy" about her pet's success.

She added: "He is a beautiful cat. Last year he won five firsts in the kitten group. His rosettes are pinned up by his basket and then people come along and have a look at him. It doesn't worry him. He just seems to lie there and sleep."

Mrs Powell said the family, who have another cat - eight-year-old Spike - were planning to return to the show next year so Bertie could defend his prizes.