This week, we've had stacks of postal entries - with all owners telling us how wonderful their pet is.

The Bury Free Press – in association with Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre and Stowe Veterinary Group – is on the hunt for our 2008 Star Pet.

Here is a selection of this week's entries, along with some of the earlier hopefuls:

This is Katie. Owner Jan Burgess, of Woolpit, says Katie was squashed by her mother at just three days old and wasn't expected to live long - but she is now very stubborn and four years old.

This is Flynn. He is two years old and again owned by Jan Burgess.

This is William and Freya. They are again owned by Jan Burgess and are posing by the ceanothus bush.

This is Yuna. Yuna is owned by Lottie Gilsenan, of Bury. Lottie says Yuna helped her greatly over the past year and always gives her the giggles.

This is Diesel.
Owner Trudy Margetts, of Thetford, says Diesel was abandoned and dumped as a kitten - but now loves Pringles crisps and purrs so loudly he sounds like a diesel engine.

This is Garfield. He is owned by Natalie Smith, of Bury, who found him covered in ice with a badly infected eye and rotten teeth. He has since recovered.

This is Chillie.
Owner Chris Marconi, of Haughley, says she may look a grump but she is a real part of the family.

This is Maxine. Owner Suzanne Simpson says she has had Maxine for 12 years - she loves a fuss and simply loves her to bits.

Meet Bex. Owner Ella Marconi, of Haughley, says Bex sleeps on her bed every night.

This is KC and Lewis. Owners Paula and Andy Last, of Bury, say they both get on well together and give them a lot of pleasure.

This is Edward. Owner Camilla Rodwell. of Long Melford, says Edward lives with them at The Hunter Gallery and is well known by customers as he sits in the window of the gallery.

This is Marmaduke. Again owned by Camilla Rodwell, Marmaduke is a Maine coon and parades down the Long Melford High Street as if he owns it, she says.

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This is Sasha. Owner Kathy Moss, of Euston, says she is full of fun.

Meet Ernie. Owner Helen Bishop, of Bury, says Ernie has brought her joy and laughter after the loss of a German shepherd last year.

This is Charlie Brown. Owner Alison Turner, of Bury, says he is the most loyal friend anyone could ask for.

This is Jasper. Owner Mrs M Leggett, of Hockwold, says Jasper was adopted in 2001 and has such a wonderful character.

This is Lillie. Owner Mrs A Fairweather, of Brandon, says Lillie helps her with the care of her orphaned kittens.

This is Mrs Ivy Dunn's petdog. She says she is the best pet in the world.

This is Robbie, owned by Mr and Mrs Fround, of Fornham All Saints. Robbie knows when the pair are not well, places his head on their laps and licks their hands.

This is Freddie. Owner Laura Jarrold, of Stowmarket, says Freddie has endured a lifetime of treatment and operations and is still fighting on.

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This is Spike. Owner Emma Edwards, of Rattlesden, says he has lost both eyes to glaucoma - but still acts as the pre-wash cycle in the family's dishwasher.

Meet Sparkles. She was born on November 5 - hence her name, says owner Marianne Clements. She has deformed feet - but that doesn't seem to bother her at all.

Gizzy is Marianne's second entry. Gizzy is six and loves being cuddled - and when she gets really soppy, she starts dribbling.

This is Duke. Owner Claire Simpson, of Mildenhall, says Duke is very lazy, mixed-breed dog.

This is Merlin. Owner Barbara Craig, from Beck Row, says eight-year-old Merlin loves to give her a helping paw - so she doesn't lose her place when reading a good book.

Smokey should be named Star Pet, says Havva Tacel, of Thetford, as he is silky soft, gorgeous and very clever. Havva says Smokey is always sitting on his chair like a king.

This is Bert, of Thurston. Owners Darren and Charlotte West say Bert has no fear and the only way to get round him is to bribe him with ham.

This is Sandi, who is owned by 11-year-old Hollie Morris. Hollie says Sandi has many allergies but, despite this, she is always there to play with and cuddle and snuggle up to. 'She is my golden friend and my hero,' says Hollie.

This is Vincent. Owner Sigyn Avis, of Bury, says he is a cat of bad habits. He drinks out of the toilet, drags his bottom along the ground and converses with trees. But she says he is special and loves him dearly.

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This is Oscar. Owner Joan Clarke says Oscar has been a 'Comforting Cat' since 2004. Each week, he visits a care home or a nursing home and helps to brighten the day for residents. Joan says he is a natural - quite happy to sit on a knee and be stroked.

Meet Harry. Owner Jane Howard says he always a friendly cat and loves to meet people who visit her house in Isleham. Jane says that everyone who does visit, falls in love with him.

Fil the cat is owned by Karen Kriteman, of Bury St Edmunds. Fil went to Karen with his twin, Lil, from Bury's Stray Cat Fund in May 2007. He soon settled into the household and brings a lot of joy to the family. Fil has never shown anyone anything but love and affection - especially if there's food involved.

This is Lil. Karen Kriteman says he is the calming influence of the twins (see above). He is a gentle cat, loves attention and can't wait for the family to arrive home at the end of each day.

This is Jackson the rabbit. Owner Olivia Steggles, of Thurston, got his name from a book called All Because of Jackson, by Dick King-Smith. Jackson is special as he loves to hop up and down the stairs. Olivia says she loves Jackson a lot - and couldn't be without him.

Meet Pip and Toby. Owner Pat Bullock says the pair are her stars as they spend quality time with her 84-year-old mother, who is disabled. They are her tonic and her health improves when they are with her.

Mr Jinks is owned by Mrs Hamilton, of Ixworth. Mr Jinks was lost for six days, with no food and water - and it was a freezing cold January. The family found him knee deep in a diesel tank. His paws were so badly burned that he was lucky to survive. Mr Jinks is very grateful to the nice people at Stowe Veterinary Group, in Stowmarket, says Mrs Hamilton.

Our top pet will win six months' free food from our competition sponsors and have his or her picture taken and framed. Four runners-up will receive hampers from Pets Place.

There are five categories:

1 Cats;

2 Dogs;

3 Rabbits;

4 Exotics;

5 Other.

Winners will be chosen in each category and then judges will name the winner from the five category champions.

Judges will be looking for pets with star quality – they could be lifesavers, they could have a special talent or be a lifeline for their owners.

To enter, email the editor a picture of your pet (less than 2mb). You need to include your name, address, postcode, telephone number and the category entered. You also need to include why your pet should be named Star Pet 2008 (in less than 50 words).

You can also enter via the post by using the coupon in the Bury Free Press or at any of our sponsors' premises.

Closing date for entries is July 30, after which readers will be asked to vote for their Star Pets to help the judges find a shortlist.

Good luck!




RULES

Usual Anglia Newspapers competition rules apply.

In addition and specific to Star Pets 2008 competition, all entrants must be the owners of the pets.

All entrants must be happy to appear in the Bury Free Press and www.buryfreepress.co.uk for competition purposes.

Photographs submitted will not be returned at the end of the contest.

More than one pet can be entered into the competition by the same owner.

Judges' decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

No cash alternative will be offered to the prizes stated.

Judges will choose five category winners – the overall winner will receive the main prize with the four remaining category winners receiving the hampers.

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Anglia Newspapers Limited and the Johnston Press Group are constantly running great offers. If you are not interested in receiving details of them by email, post, phone, sms or fax from Johnston Press please indicate on your entry email.

If you are not interested in receiving details on offers run by our business partners please indicate on your entry email.

For your information, for quality and training purposes, we may monitor communications.


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Star Pets 2008 is being run by the Bury Free Press in association with Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre and Stowe Veterinary Group.

Stowe Veterinary Group (SVG) has practices in Stowmarket, Combs Ford, Needham Market and Elmswell.

The main practice is in Stowmarket and is fully equipped with all of the latest veterinary equipment.

Facilities at SVG include: x-ray, ultrasound, hi-tech operating suites, on-site blood testing equipment, separate dog and cat wards.

SVG caters for an array of pets (including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rodents and tortoises); horses, ponies and donkeys; livestock (including cattle, goats, pigs, llamas and alpacas); poultry and gamebirds.

SVG offers a dentistry service for pets and horses.

In each branch of SVG, there's a Pets Place outlet, which stocks feeds, products, treats and accessories.

From whales stranded in the Orwell to wild animals and livestock involved in road accidents, SVG provides a back up animal health service to the RSPCA, the police, dog wardens and other animal charities.

SVG regularly works alongside DEFRA and Animal Health. During all notifiable disease outbreaks, SVG helps Animal Health by inspecting local premises for movement licenses and providing the disinfectants for killing the viruses involved.

Behind Stowe Veterinary Group's main practice in Stowmarket is Stowe Animal Health, which offers an array of products for horse owners, farms and small holders including horse feeds, supplements, horse rugs, bedding, clothing, farming products, animal health products, animal feed, poultry products and vermin control solutions.

SVG's equine and large animal veterinary team provides emergency veterinary cover for animals at the Suffolk Show.

SVG is home to two red bellied conures (medium sized parrots) called Henry and Brigitte.

Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre's (MHVC) main practice is on Moreton Hall, in Bury St Edmunds, (opposite Matalan) and is fully equipped with all of the latest veterinary equipment.

Facilities at MHVC include: x-ray, ultrasound, hi-tech operating suites, on-site blood testing equipment, separate dog and cat wards.

MHVC houses a large Pets Place outlet, which offers an array of feeds, toys, bedding, accessories and treats for all sort of pets, not to mention gifts, cards and books for people, too!

MHVC is a sister practice to SVG.

On the first Wednesday of every month (at 8pm), MHVC hosts meetings for the Suffolk Tortoise Club.

MHVC is home to Oliver the parrot and two pet degus, namely Sweet Pea and Butter Bean.

Both SVG and MHVC offer a complete and caring healthcare service with an emphasis on prevention, as well as providing cures.

Vets and nurses at SVG and MHVC are always available for emergencies, every day of the year including Bank Holidays and Christmas. There are always two vets available so that horses, farm animals and pets can be given attention if required.

SVG and MHVC are training centres and both employ qualified and trainee veterinary nurses, pet care advisors and grooming staff.

There are many exciting career opportunities at Stowe Veterinary Group and MHVC in a variety of disciplines relating to animal care. Anyone keen to know more should visit either www.moretonhallvets.co.uk or www.stowevets.co.uk

SVG and MHVC offer a complete grooming service with specially trained staff.

Animal behaviourists offer puppy 'parties', obedience classes and one on one consultations.

MHVC and SVG take on referral cases.